Press Release

May 11, 2007

Nederland resident will lead LSC-PA Student Government Association

Story and photo(s) by Bobby Summers, Coordinator of Public Information

Cody Underwood

Cody Underwood, a sophomore music major from Nederland, will be the president of Student Government Association at Lamar State College-Port Arthur for the 2007-08 academic year.

In the recent SGA election, Lamar State students also elected two Groves residents – secretary Sikandar Khan, a freshman academic studies major from Groves, and vice president Will Young of Groves, who already earned an associate degree in computer information systems, and now is pursuing an associate degree in Audio Engineering.

Three Port Arthur residents were elected as senators-at-large for the coming year – freshman nursing major Khalidah Thomas, freshman academic studies major Diem Bui and freshman teaching major LaQuetha Wilson.

Underwood, a 2002 Nederland High School graduate, is one of first group of students majoring in Music at Lamar State, which added several music programs, including Commercial Music and Audio Engineering, to its academic offerings in the 2006 fall semester.

The music programs also draw students who plan to teach. The college offers associate degrees in six teaching tracks, including specializations in music, art, drama and physical education.

“I want to teach music at the high school or college level. So, I’ll be going after a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree after I earn my associate degree here,” Underwood said.

Although singing is relatively new to Underwood, he joined the Seahawk Concert Choir and is learning to be a solo vocalist. He performed his first solo April 25 in the college’s “Music and Tea” Vocal Solo and Choir Recital.

“This is very new to me. The first time I sang in public – other than singing along with everyone in church – was in 2005, when I auditioned to be in the college’s fall play, ‘The Wiz’ ” he said. “I am very shy, quiet and reserved. But I wanted to be the lion. So, I got up the nerve to sing. Now, I love singing.”

Hurricane Rita changed everything in September 2005. After the college re-opened, the show was downsized, moved from November to December, and became “The Rita Review.” Underwood was in the production and joined the Seahawk Concert Choir for its first public appearance.

Underwood applied the same determination he demonstrates in singing to his pursuit of the Student Government Association presidency. He ran for the office in 2006, but lost.

“This year, I was more focused. In the fall, I became History Club president and then watched as the SGA administration slowed down and basically didn’t do much,” he said. “So, I decided to run again and make sure SGA takes a pro-active role in what’s going on at the college.”

The Student Government Association the official voice through which student opinion can be expressed as students participate in the overall policy and decision-making process of the college.

SGA officers must have at least a 2.5 grade-point-average, be a full-time student (at least 12 course hours with at least nine of those hours on the Lamar State-PA campus, not be serving a sentence for a felony, not be on campus disciplinary probation and not owe any money to the college.

Each student organization officially recognized by the college sends a senator to SGA meetings, which are held at 12:15 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month.