I would like to introduce you to the seven people who have been instrumental in bringing my campaign to fruition. In short, among the most hard-working, talented and genuine people I have had the fortune to encounter at McMaster. Being a part of this team has shown me that tremendous feats can be accomplished when several dedicated people combine their brainpower, passion and resources. Medina, Meredith, Morganne, Paul, Jessie, Graydon and Michael: I don't know if I will ever have a sufficiently large vocabulary to express the gratitude I have for the seven of you.

While my campaign managers and I have been the driving force behind the structure of the campaign and platform, my campaign team is the flesh and soul. Though I lack the room to give you each the appropriate recognition and thanks, my campaign would be nothing without the students who made it a reality. For every person that has given up time they could have been using for academics and other extracurriculars: thank you for caring enough about the MSU to sacrifice so much of your time for its betterment and thank you for believing in me.

Morganne King Wale - Campaign Backbone
Peace Studies & Political Science V

About me: I'm addicted to volunteering and working to support the MSU; currently I'm a member of the Maroons, the OUSA street team and the University Affairs committee. Whenever I'm out and about volunteering you're likely to find me taking candid photos (aka photos everyone untags on Facebook) or making a scene (often due to my excitement for whatever activity is going on). These are two habits Mary became very familiar with while we were working together this past welcome week....did I mention her patience?

How I met Mary: I met Mary on her birthday last year, but I didn’t really get to chat with her and share life stories until the very rainy, but also amazing, Maroons BBQ the same year. Mary and I really bonded during welcome week as we both realized each other's love of student politics.

Why I got involved in this campaign: I love Mary. She encapsulates everything that I feel an MSU president can be. She is diplomatic, patient, passionate, intelligent and dedicated to making the MSU the best it can be. Her dedication to ensuring students’ voices are heard and acknowledged was an essential factor in my decision to participate in Mary's campaign.

Graydon Simmons - Events Manager
Health Sciences II

About me: As for me, I was raised on the Berenstain Bears, Barney and Dr. Seuss. Growing up my biggest fears were that no exit signs meant you actually couldn’t leave and that Darth Vader was hiding in my closet. One of my favorite kinds of people are the friends who tell you there’s something stuck in your teeth. Currently at Mac, I volunteer with Canadian Blood Services, a research lab and the Health Sciences Musical.

How I met Mary: I volunteered for Mary at a charity breakfast she co-coordinated in high school. I played a small part (all I did was hang posters), but Mary was still very appreciative and thankful for my work. That's when I realized "there's something about Mary."

Why I got involved in this campaign: After talking to Mary during volunteering under her at Charity Ball and Welcome Week this year, I realized we share similar views about student life and education. Mary’s deep passion for student politics and McMaster makes you feel inspired when you listen to her. When asked to be on Mary’s campaign team, my first answer was "Really?! Me?!" While I said this out loud and by myself to the Facebook Message, it shows my excitement to be a part of someone’s campaign who’s so dedicated to improving the MSU.

Jessie Bauman - Enforcement
Honours History and Anthropology IV

About me: I love band, brown, and argyle more than most people I know. I like long walks on the beach wearing ridiculous hats, and have yet to visit a waterfall in Hamilton, despite having lived here for 4 years. I'm a member of the SRA, representing Humanities, and a member of the OUSA Street Team. I have an unnatural love for Bylaws and elections.

How I met Mary: At the Maroons meet and greet in the spring, where she was very excited to be meeting "the other Jessie Bauman" (she, apparently, has another friend with the same name).

Why I got involved with this campaign: I joined Mary's campaign team because Mary has the characteristics I see the MSU President having. Mary is by far the most genuine and nice person I know (besides my mom of course). She is completely dedicated to any task given or taken on by her. Furthermore, Mary is amazing at ensuring that every voice is heard in a discussion. If you have apples, and I have oranges, Mary will make us a fruit salad.

Paul Meszaros - Logistics Coordinator
Humanities II

About me: Well I've changed from being the very quiet, follower type in high school, to the crazy, in-your-face leader type during first year, to somewhere in between now. I'm getting to find a happy medium where beyond anything else my friends are the most important thing in my life and I don't know where I would be without them. My focuses now include being ever increasingly involved with some sort of volunteer work, trying to find time for my passions for golf and soccer, and just enjoying my university life to the fullest because in my eyes these are the years we can get away with all of the insane shenanigans we usually tell ourselves we shouldn't do. So ya thats me in a nutshell.

How I met Mary: I don't really remember the specific time and place I met Mary, but I do remember it was because we were both going to be the new Social Coordinators for the Maroons in the 2009/2010 year. I'll be honest I had my reservations because I had no idea who this person was but after I met Mary we clicked instantly and we have been able to work so well together throughout this entire year.

Why I got involved in this campaign: Mary has become a very close friend that has one of the rarest personalities a person can have. She is one of the most hardworking people I know and I have complete faith that she can do the best job.

Meredith Vezina - Volunteer Coordinator
Political Science and Anthropology, IV

About me: I come from a family of loud, obnoxious laughter and endless sarcasm, and I am definitely a product of that upbringing. I also have a tendency of buying way more outdoor gear than I can afford.

How I met Mary: I met Mary in Mme. Slevan's grade nine Geography class. She commented on my hair, I commented on her shirt... in grade 9, you don't really need much more than that to foster a friendship.

Why I got involved in this campaign: Little did I know, I would watch Mary transform into one of the most dynamic, intelligent, dedicated, and genuine people I have come to know. She embodies everything I would want in an MSU president, and I support her wholeheartedly.

Michael Carrier - First Year Coordinator
Engineering I

About me: My name is Michael Joseph David Carrier. Two official middle names. My birthday is April 7, the day after Mary's. I enjoy hockey, rock climbing, skiing, and long walks on the beach. And sunset watching. And candlelit seafood dinners. I've been involved in the MSU for the past few months, and I'm loving every minute of it! McMaster is an amazing, diverse and energetic place, and I adore it.

How I met Mary: I met Mary at Horizons Leadership Conference in 2009. I was writing something in my binder and my pen ran out of ink. Mary happened to be walking by, and offered me a pen. This pen was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in my life, and I've seen some cool pens. It had 17 colours of ink, pencil, stylus, laser pointer, pocket knife, toothbrush, coffee maker, clock, cell phone and canoe. From that moment, I knew Mary was spectacular.

Why I got involved in this campaign: My involvement with the SRA got me really interested in student politics, and I knew right away that Mary was the type of candidate that I wanted to support. She has all the qualities of a good leader and I want to see the MSU lead by someone who is dedicated, intelligent and driven.

Medina Abdelkader - Communications Director
Political Science and Communication Studies IV

About me: A thorough and prolonged affair with design, layout and the written word is what prompted my involvement with the MSU in my first year, when I began working for the Sil. I've been involved in the MSU ever since. I love a good conversation.

How I met Mary: Mary reeled me in with her riveting conversation about vegetarianism in first year, and we became fast friends. For reasons I still don't understand, she laughed at all my awful jokes. She still does.

Why I got involved in this campaign: I'm the first to admit that student politics are messy and have the tendency to become a battle of egos. That may never change, but every once in awhile, a truly great candidate has the ability to refocus and revitalize an institution like the MSU, and yield the potential that it undoubtedly holds. That person is absolutely, without a doubt, Mary Koziol. Fiercely intelligent and passionate, Mary is the most well-adapted, hardworking and balanced person I have ever met, with a positive attitude that is wonderfully contagious.