West Texas A&M University has made a lasting impact on him, and as student body president, he hopes to do the same for WT.

Students have elected Landry Morren, senior advertising/public relations and broadcast electronic media major, as the next student body president with 666 votes, according to the WT website. Morren will be sworn in on May 2, and Edward Akinyemi, the current president, will continue to serve until May 14.

“It feels great [to be elected],” Morren said. “I am so excited to get started. I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store.”

Akinyemi said the student body president’s responsibilities include presiding over the executive branch of the Student Government and acting as the official student spokesperson for the university at the local, system, state and national levels.

“The president represents the student body and is the principal liaison between WTAMU students and the faculty, staff and administration,” Akinyemi said. “[I have enjoyed] being able to lead this wonderful student body the past two years and leaving West Texas A&M University better than I found it.”

In preparing for his responsibilities as president, Morren will draw from his past experiences in leadership roles including president of Campus Services, recruitment chair for Phi Delta Theta, vice president of the Interfraternity Council, vice chairman of Traditions Council, and as Greek advisor to the student body president. After graduation, Morren plans to earn his master’s degree at WT and then pursue a career in the public relations field.

“My main goal is to increase student involvement across campus,” Morren said. “In my opinion, student organizations are a main reason why WT feels like home to so many people, and I want more people to feel at home at WT.”

Morren said his girlfriend originally suggested he run for president, and after talking the idea over with several other people, he made his decision to enter the race.

“I looked back and thought that the experience I have gained through my organizations would make me someone who would be a good representative of the student body,” he said.

While Morren did not plan to attend WT at first during his college search, he said that the university “just felt like home” after going on his campus tour.

“My whole life I wanted to go to the University of Texas in Austin, but after going on my campus tour and getting to meet with professors, I fell in love with WT,” Morren said. “WT wound up being the only school I applied to.”

Morren said his favorite part about WT is the people at the university.

“I have made lifelong friends and met so many people that have influenced my life,” Morren said. “I would not be the man I am today if it wasn’t for those people.”