Faith Featherston ’25 shared these remarks during the Board of Trustees General Session in May 2025
As I prepare to graduate tomorrow, I would like to take a moment to reflect on my time serving as President of the Student Senate and to share some important updates regarding student leadership and campus involvement.
Several members of our current executive board will also be graduating tomorrow, including:
- Austin Petrillo, Secretary
- Alondra Garcia, Treasurer
- Herschel “James” Mattox, Director of Marketing
Their commitment and leadership have been vital to the success of the Senate this year, and we are grateful for their service. The new executive board will be elected at the start of the Fall 2025 semester, allowing incoming and returning students to have a voice in shaping their representation.
We are also excited to report the revival of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) on campus. After experiencing a period of inactivity last year, the GSA is once again an active and inclusive space for students, thanks in large part to the initiative and leadership of one of our current senators, Aisliin Fields. This resurgence reflects the vibrant student engagement we strive to foster at SMWC.
As we reflect on this academic year, I’d like to share some of the impactful events and initiatives led by the Student Senate. These activities not only brought students together but also fostered leadership, community service and collaboration across institutions.
SGA Banquet – March 28, 2025
We were honored to host the Student Government Associations from Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology at our annual SGA Banquet. The evening featured esteemed guest speakers, including:
- Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales spoke about the importance of public service and how leadership roles create personal and professional growth.
- Vigo County Commissioners Chris Switzer and Anthony Dinkel led a breakout session on how SGAs contribute to community development within Terre Haute and Vigo County.
- Our very own President Brennan Randolph and ISU President Mike Godard, Ph.D., held a joint discussion about the challenges facing college students today and potential partnerships across institutions.
This event proved invaluable for my fellow senators and me. It offered us a deeper understanding of leadership in action, encouraged intercollegiate collaboration and inspired us to think critically about our roles in serving both our campus and local community. The discussions sparked fresh ideas and left a lasting impact on all who attended.
Pie a Senator – March 31, 2025
This fun and meaningful event invited students to participate in “pieing” members of the Senate, faculty, staff and coaches. In order to participate, you had to make a donation toward the opportunity to pie someone of their choosing. All proceeds were donated to Vigo County CASA, a local nonprofit supporting court-appointed special advocates for children. We were proud to raise $150 for this cause, demonstrating how student-led initiatives can give back to our broader community in creative and enjoyable ways.
Deal or No Deal – April 23, 2025
A beloved tradition on campus, our annual Deal or No Deal event continues to be a student favorite. This year, we offered 105 prizes, ensuring a total of 105 students had the opportunity to participate. Prizes ranged from TVs, Keurigs and Beats headphones to small things like candy, soap and toothbrushes, adding to the excitement and mystery of the event. Students lined up more than an hour in advance, eager to take part in what has become a highly anticipated experience.
Final Monday – May 5, 2025
Introduced last year, Final Monday is quickly becoming a cherished end-of-year tradition. On this day, the Student Senate uses the remainder of our budget to give back to the student body in meaningful ways. This year, we distributed:
- Custom crewneck sweatshirts – a campus favorite
- Pomeroy Bear Bombs from Bear’s Coffee & Roasting Co., an alumni-owned business
- Donuts from Baesler’s Market
It’s our way of saying thank you to the students for their support throughout the year and celebrating the close of another successful academic chapter.
Serving as President of the Student Senate at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has been one of the most transformative experiences of my college career. This role challenged me, inspired me and ultimately helped shape the person I am today.
One of the most meaningful experiences this year was organizing and hosting the SGA Banquet. Bringing together student leaders from ISU and Rose-Hulman, and welcoming distinguished guests such as Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales and Vigo County Commissioners Chris Switzer and Anthony Dinkel, taught me the value of collaboration and the power of student leadership. It was inspiring to witness how shared ideas and community-driven conversation can spark real change. Facilitating those conversations gave me confidence in my ability to lead with purpose and bring people together.
We also held events like Pie a Senator, which, while lighthearted on the surface, reminded me how much impact a small initiative can make. Raising funds for Vigo County CASA showed me the importance of using your platform to support something bigger than yourself. Leading this event helped me better understand the responsibility that comes with leadership — to be a voice, a listener and a changemaker.
Perhaps what I’ll cherish most is our creation of Final Monday — a simple but powerful tradition meant to give back to students. Seeing students smile over a sweatshirt, coffee or donut on a stressful day reminded me that leadership is not always about the big decisions — sometimes, it’s the small gestures that leave the biggest impact.
Throughout the year, I’ve grown in ways I never expected. I’ve become more confident in my decision-making, more patient in moments of challenge and more intentional in how I serve others. I’ve learned that true leadership is rooted in empathy, collaboration and a willingness to learn.
As I graduate, I carry with me a deep sense of pride for what we’ve accomplished and so much gratitude for the opportunity to serve this campus I love. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has given me more than an education – it’s given me a voice, a purpose and a community that I will always call home. I hope each one of my senators has felt the same experience I have in my time in Student Senate. I am glad to say I am excited to see many of us walk that stage tomorrow, and thank you all for inviting us again.
Faith Featherston ’25 earned her bachelor’s degrees in human services and criminology from SMWC. She is from Reelsville, Indiana. During her time at The Woods, Featherston served as Student Senate President and Senior Class Vice President. She was also on the Dance Team and the Cheer Team.
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