Mestre elected GAPSA chair

The Graduate and Professional Student's Assembly elected fourth year Astronomy graduate student David Mestre chairperson of the group Wednesday night at a meeting in Houston Hall. Mestre is a prominent student figure on campus. He served on the Commission on Strengthening the Community, was vice president of the Graduate Student Activities Council and he coordinates graduate student activities for the Newman Center. In addition to working with the Asociacion Cultural de Estudiantes Latino Americanos and Movimiento Estudiantes de Chicano Americanos, Mestre is also a residential advisor in High Rise North. "I would like to coordinate more interaction between the schools," Mestre said last night. "I want to promote programs in departments that encourage that type of interaction." "We're pushing for a fuller graduate social life on campus," he added. Mestre said he is interested in exploring whether the Newman Center can be used to host regular graduate student Happy Hours, such as one held yesterday at the University Museum's Chinese Pavilion. "I would like to see the Newman Center used by more graduate students," he said. In addition, Mestre said the University needs to strengthen the community in terms of its focus on the West Philadelphia neighborhood. "We are talking about having someone from GAPSA attend community meetings in West Philadelphia," he added. Graduate students in GAPSA said they are happy with Mestre's selection as chairperson. "I think David will be an asset to the graduate student body," GAPSA Vice Chairperson Cheryl Neisser-Frankson said. "I think he has a lot of innovative ideas." "As a group, I think the graduate student body is?very pleased with his appointment as chair," the first year Nursing doctoral student added. Neisser-Frankson said the big issues facing GAPSA next year are the University Council's proposed judicial reforms, securing graduate student space in the Revlon Center and the possibility of a graduate student's pub on campus." "I think it's great," GAPSA Vice Chair for Policy Cheryl Patterson said. "I think he is a very good choice." And other students agree. "I think he works very well with people, and will provide a lot of leadership next year," said Patterson, a third year Law student. Graduate students who have worked with Mestre at the Newman Center are also excited about his new leadership position. "His dedication as a leader, his excellent organizational skills, his ability as a leader will all enable him to effectively serve as the chair of GAPSA," said eighth year Genetics student Charles Bailey. "It has been interesting to hear his ideas. He has an enlightened grasp of the issues facing this community." GAPSA only selected its chair Wednesday night. Elections for other posts are still to be held.