They are in charge of spearheading the most anticipated events on campus and are two of the most passionate Davidson students I know. This week I got the chance to sit down with two ladies I am so fortunate to call friends, Union Board President Lauren Schassberger and Vice President Gabrielle Garrard.
Union Board President Lauren Schassberger (r) and Vice President Gabrielle Garrard (l).
For those of you who have never had the opportunity to meet this incredible tag team, they are the powerhouse pair behind events such as the Campus Christmas Party, Winterfest, Frolics, and the highly anticipated spring concert. However, they are quick to note that the Union Board is a team effort; I got to hear them gush about everything from building community on campus to their dream jobs.
Here is your chance to get to know a little bit more about Lauren and Gabrielle!
Names: Lauren Schassberger and Gabrielle Garrard
Hometowns:
LS: Winslow, Maine
GG: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Class:Â 2016
Major:Â Political Science
Other Campus Activities:
LS—Cats Connect President, Davidson Sports Marketing Intern, Rusk Eating House
GG—College Democrats E-Board, Turner Eating House
Favorite Quote or Dose of Inspiration:
LS—“Everything will be ok in the end, if it is not ok it is not the end.” (John Lennon) Lauren and her sister like to say this too each other when they are having a rough day.
GG—A quote that has resonated with Gabrielle this year is one by Audre Lorde, “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me.”
“I’m at a point in my life where I am trying to take full agency of who I am and who I want to be and not let other people’s opinions influence that and how I perceive myself.” Well-said Gabrielle!
These two friends also have a motto that they like to say to one another –“I am appreciating you now and always.” They are the cutest!
Spirit Animal:
LS—Otter
GG—Currently in a “spirit animal transition.”  “I really want it to be Leslie Knope…if I had to choose a spirit person, I would say that.”
Any Davidson bucket list items you need to check off before you graduate?
LS—“To be in D-Block…I want to be allowed to cheer obnoxiously with them!”
“Also, I want to start a prank war with somebody”  BOLO friends of Lauren, you have been warned.
GG—Gabrielle has a great ongoing goal of “being intentional about my quality time with friends.”
Favorite Book:
LS—The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach “…because baseball”
GG—The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Hogwarts House:
LS—Ravenclaw
GG—Hufflepuff (“I am such a proud Hufflepuff”)
Dream Job:
LS—“Owner of the Cape Cod baseball league.” Lauren was very passionate about this when I inquired further: “I love the community around summer ball leagues. This one produces quality players, and there is such strong history and community. There are so many people and organizations in such a small amount of space, but they still manage to create so much hype and community support that it’s really beautiful.”
GG—“I would love to be a morning news anchor on The Today Show, I watch it every morning.”
Now on to their Union Board work!
Both Lauren and Gabrielle have been involved in the Union Board since sophomore year, Lauren as Outpost Committee Chair and then Chief of Staff and Gabrielle as DIY Committee Chair and then the Artist Series Committee Chair. Both have known since sophomore year that they wanted to run for the Union Board leadership positions they currently hold, and they made it clear that they knew early on that they had found their place at Davidson on the Union Board.
The 2015-2016 Union Board
How did you go about assembling the Board?
LS—“We tried to get as many different types of people as we could so we could have voices from different parts of campus represented on the board. That was something that was important to us.”
GG—“We sat down and compiled a list of goals for the year and a list of personal characteristics that were important to us.”
What do you see as some of the Board’s strengths this year?
LS—“They are very aware about the opportunity Union Board has on campus, of our position and how we can use that to really try to reach as many different groups and people on campus as possible.”
GG—“I think this board is very intentional, in terms of thinking about the effects of our actions. They are thoughtful, think about the bigger picture, and make sure to ask for student input.”
What are some important things to know about how UB functions?
LS—“It’s really cool to know that all of the decisions, every board decision is done unanimously, President and Vice-President don’t get a vote, but everyone else unanimously approves a proposal.”
GG—“That we have a committee breakdown. Committee chairs are responsible for their own events, and then we all come together to do board-wide events. We are very multi-faceted and broken down into student-led committees.”
On their favorite UB event so far this year:
LS—“My favorite event this year has been the cereal bar, which was totally random and kind of the weirdest event. We had 20+ different kinds of cereal, milks, toppings, and there was karaoke. There were so many different groups of people at the event, people from all over campus just eating cereal and singing karaoke. It was a beautiful moment.”
GG—“I think Will Naso did a fantastic job with the lip sync battle. He poured his heart and soul into that, and I respect him so much and I think he has such a great gift for dreaming big and getting so many different organizations connected and involved together. That was one of those moments where I was just in awe, it was a really special event.”
How do you think your involvement and investment in Student Activities at Davidson will influence you long term?
LS—“Being on the Union Board, especially at a place like Davidson, has given me a great sense of community and an understanding of the ways that organizations like these can help shape community. It’s indescribable. I am so thankful that I have been able to be involved in this way.” (She started to tear up as she said this and gave me goose bumps—this girl is passionate!)
GG—Gabrielle is going on to grad school next year for Higher Ed. Administration. “I think it is really special that we are able to create a physical space for people to come together, and I think it is a great opportunity for the leaders within the board to grow and develop as individuals and further their own impact on campus.”
Lauren and Gabrielle want YOU to apply to be on the Union Board next year!
Applications for the 2016-2017 Union Board will be available on February 22nd and are due by March 11th. Email incoming President Molly Mathes or VP Sam Winstel for an application, or be on the lookout for a link on InsideDavidson.
If you are interested in writing an article for Her Campus Davidson, contact us at davidson@hercampus.com or come to our weekly meeting Tuesday at 8pm in the Morcott Room.