Junior petroleum engineering major Eric Beckham celebrates Thursday evening in Academic Plaza upon hearing he had been elected student body president. Beckham will take office Aug. 22.

We have a winner

Eric Beckham wins election for 2009-2010 student body president

By: Melissa Appel

Posted: 4/13/09

Student body president elections ended in a runoff in which Eric Beckham was chosen as the 2009-2010 student body president of Texas A&M University.

Beckham won 57.31 percent of the popular vote, defeating Ben Debayle by a 1,597 vote margin. The 11,096 voting students set a record for participation in a runoff student body election at A&M.

Beckham's excitement in the election turnout could not be contained as he spoke about the opportunity of the upcoming year.

"I cannot describe it," said Beckham. "Words can't quantify the emotions, the overwhelming feeling, the gratitude, the joy, the excitement, the positive feelings for next year. It's amazing."

Beckham and Debayle received the highest percentages of votes during the general student body elections on April 8-9, which also set a record in student participation. The two candidates continued their campaigns until last week when the run-off votes decided the student body president, junior yell leaders and Class of 2012 president.

The work of the elected student body president began Friday morning as Beckham met with current student body president Mark Gold and Student Government Association Adviser Jennifer Fountain to begin the transition process. He will begin to form his executive council through an application and interview process.

"My first initiative is to make sure the student body has faith in their student leaders," said Beckham. "When they elect somebody to be appointed to serve them, [the leaders] are servants of them [the student body] and only them."

Beckham began his involvement in Aggieland in the Freshmen Leadership Organization Fish Aides, as well as with the Aggie Men's Club. He is serving as student body vice president under Gold, during which he said he gained the experience he hopes will benefit the student body in the next year.

Beckham ran on a platform that emphasized college affordability and attainability, improving quality of life, enriching the Aggie experience, achieving academic excellence and unity through communication.

"The biggest overall arching message is to continue to deepen every student's Aggie experience, improving quality of life and enriching the Aggie experience," said Beckham. "It's the little things on campus - transportation and health services, dining services, connectivity and student traditions."

Campaign supporters of Beckham are excited about his opportunity in the upcoming school year to serve the University.

"Eric Beckham not only uses discernment within relationships, but in making decisions, his wisdom abounds," said Courtney McCrea, junior communication and journalism major and co-marketing manager in Beckham's campaign. "He understands student government and, due to his desire to strengthen as a leader, he will continue to seek council from advisers and students alike."

In all of his work as student body president, Beckham said he aims to leave a positive impact on the University through his actions.

"I hope to be someone who was not successful, but significant; someone who wasn't impressive, but impactful," Beckham said. "That's what I hope."

As he looks forward to implementing his ideas and principles at A&M, the goals Beckham set are founded on his desire to better the University as a whole.

"[I'm most looking forward to] continuing to serve Texas A&M," Beckham said. "I'm not done making Texas A&M better when I leave than when I got here."