With campaign posters lining the halls and tables set up in the Hixson Union Building (HUB), Whitworth students made their voices heard in April during the Associated Students of Whitworth University elections for the 2025–26 school year. ASWU serves as the official student government, advocating for students’ needs and organizing campus-wide initiatives.
On April 4, the student body elected two students for the ASWU president and executive vice president.
Abby Ruffcorn, a sophomore political science major, was elected as ASWU president.
This year, Ruffcorn has served as the Ballard Senator and has been involved in several clubs across campus. She is a member of the Basic Needs Committee, where she works with the Nutrition Center to ensure students’ essential needs are met. She also serves on the Safety Committee, helping the campus feel secure and addressing student safety concerns.
“This is my first year in ASWU and getting involved,” said Ruffcorn. “I was student body vice president in high school, and then coming to Whitworth, I realized I wanted to get involved.”
One of Ruffcorn’s goals during her term is to implement town halls every month where student representatives can hear directly from the student body.
“I am very passionate about trying to represent everybody and making sure everybody feels heard, valued, and respected,” said Ruffcorn. “Just trying to make Whitworth the most inclusive place possible.”
Ruffcorn is also focused on providing basic needs to the student body.
“I went to North Central High School here in Spokane, which is 80% free and reduced lunch,” said Ruffcorn. “So that something that’s just really important to me and providing basic needs are just not being focused on.”
Eli Harris, a junior music education major, was elected as the vice president.
“Through ASWU, I learned that I really like advocating for students,” said Harris. “And I thought putting myself into a higher position, like vice president, would be a way that my voice could reach further for the student body.”
Harris has previously been the Stewart senator for two years.
“I felt like I wanted to get involved more on campus,” said Harris. “I knew people my freshman year, but I just wanted to get around campus more and meet more people, and I saw ASWU elections and knew that was it.”
Senators were also elected to represent Ballard, Boppell, Duvall, McMillan, Oliver, and Stewart residence halls. The electees were, respectively, Josie Crandell, Azalea Vlietstra, Grace Reynolds, Brian Duarte, Emily Edstrom and Aloisa Morales-Saldana.
Bennett Johnson will serve as the commuter senator, and Nina Susin was elected as the international senator. ASWU is currently still working to find a senator for Arend Hall.
To learn more about ASWU, visit whitworthaswu.com
