After three weeks of applications and interviews, the results are in. Out of three finalists, senior Andrew Nurkin was selected as the newest young trustee at a Duke Student Government general body meeting Wednesday night.
Nurkin, an English major with a history minor, will initiate his three-year term in July.
"There was no wrong choice here, and it was probably easier to be at the front of the room than to be sitting in the legislature," Nurkin said.
Seniors Brady Beecham and Jesse Panuccio, also finalists, both congratulated Nurkin on his selection and expressed confidence in his ability.
Before DSG legislators and members of the Intercommunity Council made their decisions, the three candidates each spoke for 15 minutes and answered questions.
"I'm running for young trustee for a pretty simple reason, and that's because I love Duke," Nurkin told legislators and ICC members. Over the three-year term he will serve on the Board, the Atlanta native said he plans to focus on the physical development of the campus "according to the wants and needs of faculty and students... and the completion of buildings without disrupting student life."
He raised concerns about the "hazy" Student Village plans proposed by Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta. "Out of all of the projects now, that one has the potential to open up into a project that could become unwieldy," he said.
Nurkin added that he hopes to enhance the academic program through a more cohesive advising system and innovation in areas including interdisciplinary study and research.
In response to a question from junior Clifford Davison, Nurkin said he thought office space needed the most crucial development on campus. "Most people say social space... but I would wager almost 100 percent of the student body is involved in a group outside of class where they need space," he said, recalling his own difficulties in finding space as president of Campus Council.
Senior Troy Clair, DSG vice president for student affairs, asked each candidate to name one issue on which they would not compromise if selected as young trustee. Nurkin promised not to neglect the current student body while fulfilling the University's future plans. "My most distinguishing character is my willingness to speak up for the students who are here now.... This is the only four years you get," Nurkin said.
Panuccio named academic standards as one issue on which he would not bend. "I would not support any agenda item that would diminish the academic quality of this school," he said.
Student involvement in administrative decisions was Beecham's answer. "One change I've seen... is that students are being left out of decisions made by administrators... wherein student opinions are given by limited avenues," she said.
Overall, the finalists thought the questions asked of them were fair. "There were some questions on divestment that I was surprised by, but that's news on campus, so I guess that's fair game for young trustee," Beecham said, referring to specific questions that some legislators asked regarding the University's divestment of funds from Israel.
Panuccio agreed. "I thought the question on Israel was to pull something out of today's paper," he said.
Although undecided as to his future plans after graduation this spring, Nurkin is looking forward to his new position. "This is such an honor," the new young trustee said, smiling. "I'm excited to fulfill the responsibility that's been given to me."
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