Ashlee Newman and Ronald Taylor both wish to inspire change on the Syracuse University campus.

As the newly selected class marshals for SU’s Class of 2015, they will receive a unique opportunity to work with faculty to bring a commencement speaker that will hopefully connect with next year’s graduates.

Newman and Taylor, both juniors, were selected as class marshals earlier this month, according to a March 5 SU News release. The marshals are primarily responsible for selecting a commencement speaker, representing their class at university events and providing feedback on the university.

When selecting class marshals, a committee reviews an application, the student’s academic record, involvement in SU and the Syracuse community, leadership qualities and innovation.  Newman and Taylor were selected from 25 applicants, five of whom had an interview as well, said Sylvia Langford, associate vice president for student affairs and chair of the selection committee.

Langford said selecting class marshals is never easy.  However, Langford said Newman and Taylor “had purpose.”

“They loved SU,” she said. “They were articulate in why they wanted to represent the class.”

The committee also selected an alternate, Kristen Weeks, in the event that one of the other marshals could not fulfill their duties.  Langford said if the marshals were unable to attend an event with the Board of Trustees, the alternate might be invited to attend in their place.

Both Newman and Taylor are public policy and political science majors, and Taylor said the policy program influences their ability to judge if changes need to be made in the university.

Taylor said he hopes to focus on encouraging student involvement in the greater Syracuse community.  Regardless of their major, he said he believes students can get involved outside of the classroom and off of the Hill.

“Your major has no hold over commitment to involvement in community service,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he is educating himself on campus issues to be the best advocate for how to resolve them.

Taylor said it is hard to pick just one person to speak at the 2015 commencement ceremony. But both he and Newman will chair the committee in charge of selecting the speaker, and the rest of the committee will tell them if bringing the speaker is feasible.  The marshals also have to defend every person they put on their list of possible speakers.

“I can’t say I want the president because he’s the most famous person in the world,” Taylor said.  “That’s cute, but it’s not feasible.”

After hearing Aaron Sorkin speak at her sister’s graduation from SU in 2012, Newman said she wants a speaker that can tell a story.  Newman said she did research into the class marshals’ involvement.

Newman said she wants someone who demonstrates scholarship in action. For Newman, scholarship in action involves  problem solving outside the classroom — such as organizations like the White Ribbon Campaign, an organization that works to end domestic violence. Newman she said she joined the organization after her cousin’s abusive husband killed her.

Newman said she is most excited to encourage student involvement, but also wants to focus on skill development. She worked with William Coplin, a professor of public affairs in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, to create a seminar as part of an additional requirement for honors students enrolled in Coplin’s PAF 101: An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy class this semester.

After hearing some of the feedback from students, Newman said she feels the classroom is not the appropriate setting for teaching skills such as communication. She said she hopes to continue to shape and change a skill development seminar through other means.

Both Newman and Taylor said the lessons they’ve learned throughout their lives will help them lead in their position as class marshal.

Published on March 17, 2014 at 1:13 am

Contact Caroline: cstrange@syr.edu