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USUSA officers sworn in, hope to “leave a legacy of good”

On Friday, April 19, statewide Aggies traveled from far and wide to join Logan Aggies in the TSC Ballroom for the 2024-25 USUSA inauguration.   

Former student body president Abraham Rodriguez started the ceremony with a speech reminiscing about his year as president.  

“As I stand before you tonight, I’m filled with a mix of emotions — gratitude, nostalgia, and excitement for what lies ahead. Serving as a student by the President has been a privilege and an honor of a lifetime, and I’m immensely proud of all that we’ve been able to accomplish together this past year,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodrguez also directly addressed the new executive leadership board during his speech.   

“Make sure you stock up with the snacks,” Rodriguez said. “I’m also excited just to see everything that you three will do. Organize the efforts to make your guys’ trips and retreats fun and meaningful, and of course, our Day on the Hill wouldn’t be complete without some banter with legislators over who deserves the best ice cream, which we all know is Aggie Ice Cream.”  

Following his speech, Rodriguez invited all leadership members in attendance one by one to join him on stage, raise their right hand, and take an oath of servitude to Utah State University.  

Rodriguez swore in student body president Matthew Richey, who then gave his inaugural address.  

“For years, I dreamed about being student body president, but now that I’m here, I realize that that’s not really what I want. What I want is to make a change and to impact the university and leave a legacy of good,” Richey said. “Let’s get to work.”  

Among statewide leadership in attendance was Madysen Probst, the former chief of staff for USU Eastern, who was sworn into her new position as vice president of USU Eastern. 

“I’m so excited to get to work with the Logan officers a lot more and help bridge the universities together,” Probst said.  

Also in attendance was the new Moab region vice president Christina Behling, who shared her goals as a statewide leader.  

“To create more outdoor activities, and get more and more students together,” Behling said.  

The USU Moab campus neighbors both Arches and Canyonlands National Park. Students at there have the opportunity to earn over 90 different certificates and degrees. 

Behling, an up-and-coming nursing student, also shared her thoughts on statewide student representation. She is hoping statewide leadership will soon have more representation that connects directly with the Logan campus.  

Members of student leadership were joined by friends and family to celebrate the inauguration, and they excitedly sang “The Scotsman” to close the event out.  

Student advocate vice president Sydney Lyman was surrounded by friends and family as she celebrated alongside executive council members.  

“I am excited to build better unity amongst students and just excited to hopefully create a place of inclusion,” Lyman said.