Student Government Leaders Highlight Achievements and Future Initiatives at State of the Campus 2025

Last Friday, on January 31, students, faculty, alumni, and community members gathered for the eagerly awaited State of the Campus Address, held at Westfield State University's Dever Auditorium. In addition to reflecting on the Student Government Association's (SGA) accomplishments from the previous semester, attendees learned about projects influencing the University's future. Adding a celebratory touch to the evening, the opportunity to win a 50-inch television further increased the excitement.

The event kicked off with an address from Joseph Bonilla, the 100th President of the University’s Student Government Association. Recognizing the historical significance of this milestone, Bonilla remarked, “This year is especially significant as we celebrate a hundred years of service, a century of students advocating for one another, strengthening our campus, and leaving a lasting impact on our community.” He emphasized the SGA’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus environment before outlining three pivotal initiatives guiding the SGA’s mission.

A strong commitment to civic engagement remains central to the organization’s efforts, and the SGA seeks to foster a sense of responsibility and activism in students by providing them with the resources they need to impact their communities both on and off campus. Subsequently, Bonilla emphasized the necessity of prioritizing student success and increasing leadership opportunities.

At the end of his address, Bonilla emphasized the importance of celebrating and recognizing community and legacy at Westfield State. “The strength of Westfield State lies in its people,” Bonilla added. “We are committed to honoring our University’s legacy and traditions, recognizing the diverse registered student organizations that enrich campus life, and fostering a greater sense of belonging in our student body and peers.”

As part of its centennial celebration, the SGA also introduced the Civic Leader Speaker Series, beginning with an appearance on January 28 by Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe. This initiative provides students with the opportunity to hear directly from local and state officials about leadership, advocacy, and active citizenship. “It is more important than ever that we come together as a community, engage in respectful dialogue, and seek common ground,” Bonilla highlighted.

Austin Morgan, Vice President of Finance, next took the stage to discuss financial planning and student engagement. “As student leaders, we are entrusted with the responsibility of allocating funds strategically to enrich student life, support diverse organizations, and cultivate an inclusive campus environment,” he said. “We have launched the most comprehensive student outreach effort in SGA history, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a strong sense of community as Westfield State University.”

According to Morgan, the SGA oversaw a budget of more than $194,000 this fiscal year, making sure that funds were allocated wisely to optimize student involvement and improve campus life. He further reaffirmed SGA's commitment to building a strong sense of community at the University by announcing the most extensive student outreach initiative in the organization's history.

Justin Wald, Westfield State's Vice President of Student Life, emphasized initiatives to boost student engagement and campus spirit. Activities like Paint Your Flag and Karaoke Night have contributed to improving campus culture and increasing student involvement.

In honor of the SGA's centennial, Wald also revealed an exciting plan to donate $100 to every active registered student organization in recognition of their contributions to campus life.

As the evening came to an end, Wald announced an additional OWL celebration event to highlight campus leaders. “I am proud to announce that we are hosting the second annual OWL celebration to acknowledge our outstanding Westfield leaders,” he said. “This is an event that will highlight exceptional club events, leadership, and initiative, honoring registered student organizations with awards for most attended event, most innovative event, and best in academic and career, arts and music, faith and heritage, leadership and service, and sport and leisure.”