By JORDAN GREEN, Editor-in-Chief
SGA VP unopposed in student body president election
Dawson Maxwell, a junior criminal justice major from Perry who was elected vice president of Northwestern’s Student Government Association in 2020, will be the organization’s next president.
Maxwell was the only student who filed to run for the highest-ranking position in the Student Government Association, which plans campus activities and acts as a liaison between the student body and university administrators.
“I can’t wait to start the new year with everything and continue the traditions that have been in place, and continue the great events and try out some new ones, and try and make all students’ Northwestern experience the best,” he said.
Maxwell learned Saturday that he was the only candidate for the job. Other student body leaders will be elected April 6 and 7.
“I want to thank God, of course,” he said. “This is … a big blessing, and I’ve reached a goal that I’ve wanted for a while.”
Maxwell has served in student government since his freshman year, starting out as a student body senator, he said. He was the Student Government Association’s secretary before being elected as its vice president.
The Oklahoma native has deep ties to the university, he said, and his family inspired him to be a Ranger.
His father, Northwestern alumnus Brady Maxwell, served as the Student Government Association’s president in 1994, Dawson Maxwell said. Maxwell’s brother also attends Northwestern, and Maxwell’s mother is from Alva, he said.
Maxwell said he decided to run for the office because he wants to make Northwestern a better place for students to learn.
“This was honestly one of the goals I set when coming to college,” he said. “I just want to make everyone’s Northwestern experience as best as I can make it for them. I just enjoy hearing stories, being a part of and putting on event and making campus life as best as we can. I feel like I am best suited to do that with all of the knowledge, traditions, and love for Northwestern that I have.
“We’re great for criminal justice, scholarships and small-town ‘feel’ and everything. That kind of brought me to Northwestern.”
As student body president, Maxwell said he will encourage students to participate in university events and join new organizations.
“It’s extremely vital to find a group with like-mindedness and interests you like to make your college experience better,” he said.
Maxwell said he’ll listen to students’ concerns and have a positive attitude.
“I love hearing from others, their ideas and interest and input,” he said.
“What I may think everyone would like or put on is not necessarily the best.
I have a big willingness to listen to others and hear from others. I want to make Northwestern better and continue the work of previous presidents that I’ve been under and watched and everything. I just want to serve others, and I enjoy putting on events and hearing from all the different students and everything.”
After graduating from Northwestern, Maxwell will pursue a career in law enforcement, where he hopes to help others – just as he hopes to do as student body president, he said.
“I’m a very competitive and driven person,” he said. “I’m a very unselfish person. I’m a very positive-minded person. I like being around others, and I’m always willing to help.”
Ethan Sacket, who was elected president of the Student Government Association in 2020, will be graduating in May. He’s worked with Maxwell since 2018 and said Maxwell’s personality will make him an effective Ranger leader.
“We are in a fun time right now where we’re slowly getting back to normal here on campus,” Sacket said. “He’s got a really cool opportunity ahead of himself to really serve our students and to make change.”
Sacket said Maxwell is approachable and a good listener, skills he characterized as being essential to the job.
“Dawson is pretty personable person, and so it’s very easy to have a conversation with Dawson,” Sacket said. “He’s a super friendly guy on campus, and hopefully that personality will draw people in to talk with him.
I know he’ll go out and have those conversations with students. I think the main thing is just really communicating.
“It’s truly just what he makes of the opportunity.”
Calleb Mosburg, dean of student affairs and co-adviser of the Student Government Administration, said he believes Maxwell will be a good student leader.
“I think he’ll do a great job,” Mosburg said. “He’s got some experience this year serving as an officer, so I’m excited. I’m excited for him and excited for the next year and to see what he’s able to get accomplished as SGA president.”
Maxwell said he is thankful to those who encouraged him to run for the office.
“I really love being a part of SGA and putting on the events, serving and seeing everyone,” he said. “I feel I made the best decision ultimately.”
