The Holland College experience is a focus during the Student Union election.

By Daniel Brown

Feb 21, 2017

            The college experience was a theme with each of the candidates running for Holland College Student Union president this year.

        The three candidates gave brief presentations, which were open to the public in the Florence Simmons Performance Hall on Feb. 21. Each discussed how important the student union’s role is in enriching student’s college experiences.

        The candidates are Luke Ignace, Cassidy MacDonald, and Templeton Sawyer. Voting takes place Feb. 23.

        Ignace graduated from the performing arts program last year. He is now studying business administration.

Everyone at Holland College has a different experience and the student union should make an environment that allows for good experiences, Ignace said.

        “I would make it my goal to revitalise campus.”

        Ignace wants to level with students - to be human and sincere with them. The student union is making more progress every year, he said.

        “With each president at Holland College, there’s always been a moving forward.”

        MacDonald is a second-year events management student. She can see how her experience at Holland College allowed her to grow as a person, she said.

“I want all of you to have the same experience.”

MacDonald wants more to be done to connect the campuses across P.E.I. She praised Holland College for its hands-on learning approach, from the performing arts to the police academy.

        MacDonald has attended multiple leadership conferences during her education and has been involved with the student union as well. She feels ready to be president, she said.

 The college’s diverse student body is a defining trait, MacDonald said.

“Without our diversity, we wouldn’t be Holland College.”

Sawyer is a first-year events management student. Holland College’s diversity is important to recognize, he said.

“Each of us brings perspective which should not be ignored.”

Sawyer wants to implement guidelines so these voices can be heard. His experience in leadership and public speaking would help him be a good president, he said.

The Holland College experience would be the focus if Sawyer were elected, he said.

“Let’s make our experience at Holland College wholesome.”