Arthur Gardner Smith had some stiff competition running for freshman class president.
But he still managed to get 40 percent more votes than his closest competitor, and the new leader of the Class of 2010 is eager to get started.
Freshman class representatives were finally announced last night after a race that featured a historic number of candidates, high voter turnout and allegations of tampering with election materials.
Sixty-five percent of the freshman class voted on Penn InTouch, compared to 62 percent last fall. The number of candidates was up 32 percent over last year.
The candidates learned of the outcome in a Logan Hall room where they had gathered. Smith, a Milwaukee, Wis., native, reacted modestly as those around him received the news of his win and congratulated him.
"I couldn't do it by myself," Smith said. "I want to thank everyone who helped me."
His newly announced colleague - freshman Vice President and College sophomore Michelle Yang - said she was simply happy and relieved that the campaign had reached its conclusion.
Winners were supposed to be announced Tuesday night, but the Nominations and Elections Committee announced two potential violations of campaign rules, postponing the results.
The first - in which Yang accused fellow vice presidential candidate and Wharton freshman Teresa Baik of taking down other vice presidential candidate posters and putting up her own - was withdrawn by Yang.
"We had a meeting where we went over the process," NEC Vice Chairman of Elections and College junior Dan Strigenz said. Afterward, "she sent me a one-line e-mail indicating she was dropping the charge."
Baik is simply relieved to have her name cleared.
Yang "said she felt terrible she had charged me," Baik said.
The second alleged violation - in which College freshman and Undergraduate Assembly candidate Joshua Bennett was charged with turning in financial forms late - was not challenged by Bennett, who had acknowledged being late. He was automatically disqualified.
Meanwhile, the 18 new freshman class board and UA representatives are ready and eager to assume their new roles as the leaders of their class.
"I'm excited to serve on the assembly," UA representative and Engineering freshman Charles Slominski said. "I'm glad that my campaigning finally paid off."
University President Amy Gutmann, in an interview earlier this week, expressed enthusiasm with the high voter and candidate turnout.
"I think it shows that they really do have the passionate intensity that we selected them for," Gutmann said. "It's very good to see students interested in public service and leadership on campus."
