Newsmaker: SGA President Delaney Ward

Every other week, The Talon interviews a member of the Oklahoma Christian University community, a “Newsmaker,” to answer questions about their role on campus.

On Feb. 17, The Talon interviewed Delaney Ward, the president of the Student Government Association (SGA).

What improvements do you hope to see SGA make on campus?

“We’ve been looking at how we can support student groups this semester. We have reached out to all the coaches of each sport and asked how we can support them. Some of these things we have done in the past, and we are just keeping up with it. We are looking at doing something for students to get them invested and trying to show support to people who are not as involved. We’re hoping to do something for nursing students during their two week leadership. That’s a big thing for senior nursing students. So we’re working on keeping them in mind, having eyes that see the different needs people have, and giving to some groups of students that we haven’t been able to do something for in the past.”

What is one thing that you are most proud of that SGA has accomplished this year?

“I would say even just this semester, sitting right now, appropriations are basically out of money. This means that we have effectively given out that whole budget to students that need it. You never want to see that money just sit there and not be used. You want to see it go to good places. We’ve had requests come in, and we have gotten on top of them. We are hopefully going to free up more money so we can continue to give. There are so many little things that work together to happen, and I think that’s a really good thing to see happen.”

How do you balance your school life being SGA president and your personal life?

“I would say the best thing for me is that I love the people on this campus. Even when I’m in SGA meetings, I love getting to work with the people I’m with. So it’s always a joy to do those things even when I feel busy. I always try to have a mindset that remembers that I really enjoy the people that I work with. So even when I have to sacrifice my time, it’s worth it because I like what I do.”

What is the benefit of being a Junior SGA president, versus those in the past being Seniors when they were president? 

“I think it is different, considering I had one less year’s perspective to give towards this position. But the benefit I’ve seen is that although I don’t plan on running again next year, I really am excited to support whoever takes that on next year and is in that role. I want to be available for them, just to ask questions or just as a resource or connecting point. And so I think there’s benefit in having someone around that’s been through that position before.”

What is your advice for the next SGA president?

“Getting to know the faculty early on is important. You work a lot with faculty, and so the quicker you start to build those relationships, I think the better that goes for you. I would also say just having ears that listen on campus and knowing who to ask questions to is important. You have to have ears that listen for issues that arise, and then be able to work on finding solutions even though not everything is solvable.”

What is something that you have learned from last semester?

“I learned to come into this semester with more direction than I had previously in the last semester, in just planning things out farther ahead. I would also say, this semester, I’m really trying to get our SGA senators involved and take them alongside us. I want people to continue to participate in it and see the value of what we’re doing. I think increasing senator participation is what I’m learning to do this semester and how to do that better.”

How do you delegate tasks with all the different committees? 

“There are so many talented people on this campus that have so much to give, and so we have to recognize that. A lot of people just haven’t been given the chance to, and so giving the people the chance to step up is important when you delegate. I think it’s important to create an environment where it’s safe to fail. If someone doesn’t get something done quite the right way, or the way that we envision, that’s totally okay. We will just readjust and redirect for the next time. It’s a learning space.”

Is there anything you’re specifically looking forward to this semester with SGA?

“Yes, the Thursday after Spring Sing week, we’re going to a trampoline park. It’s going to be at Ground Control in Mustang, which is a little farther. We sent out an interest form, and we got lots of great responses. We’re still working through some of the planning on that, but it should only cost students three dollars. They’re just paying for their socks, and we’re covering the rest of it for two hours. It would just be so fun and a good break after Spring Sing.”

What has been one of your main goals as SGA President?

“I think in my first initial interview I did with you last spring, I said participation. I do think it took me longer to understand what that would look like and figure that out, but I do think we’re on the right track to that. Attendance, even just generally looking at numbers, has been up and been a lot better than it was even last year.”