Huntingdon 2023–2024 SGA Cabinet Leaders Take Oath of Office

2023–2024 Huntingdon College SGA executive officers (L-R): Ben Barker ’25, director of PR; Sammy Cantavespre ’24, secretary; Nevaeh McIntyre ’24, president; Madison Haddock ’24, treasurer; and Will Pilgrim ’24, vice president.

Montgomery, Ala.—Four Huntingdon College student-leaders took the oath of office as elected members of the executive cabinet of the Huntingdon Student Government Association for the 2023–2024 academic year last week. The ceremony was held during the College’s annual SGA Banquet, April 20, which coincided with the last day of classes for the 2023 spring term. 2022–2023 SGA president Jacob Gray, Class of 2023, from Fernandina Beach, Fla., conducted the installation at the Montgomery Country Club. Elected in February by their peers, the newest SGA cabinet members are Nevaeh McIntyre, president; Will Pilgrim, vice president; Madison Haddock, treasurer; and Samantha Cantavespre, secretary. These four elected members selected the fifth cabinet member, Ben Barker, as director of public relations. He will be sworn in at the first SGA meeting in the fall semester.

President Nevaeh McIntyre, Class of 2024, of Pelham, Alabama, is an exercise science/pre-health major and a member of the women’s softball team. She has served as SGA treasurer for the past two years and has been elected president of Alpha Omicron Pi women’s fraternity, vice president of the Black Student Union, a Huntingdon Ambassador, a Student Recruiter, head Orientation Leader, and a member of the Freshman Leadership Initiative. She is also involved with a new club on campus, the Biomechanics Club, for students in pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, and pre-athletic training majors. She plans for a career in pediatric occupational therapy.

“I have a passion to change the world,” said Ms. McIntyre, on her reason for running for the presidency. “I want to bring people happiness and to continue the Huntingdon SGA standard of helping students and making college fun for students. We call Huntingdon the Home We Love So Well, and I want future students to continue being able to call this college their home—a place they can count on to get them to their future success.” A first-generation college student, Ms. McIntyre said that she plans to welcome open conversation in SGA meetings and to promote listening and careful decision-making.

Vice president Will Pilgrim, Class of 2024, of Tuscumbia, Alabama, is a biochemistry/pre-health major and a member of the Hawks football team. He aspires toward a career in dentistry. Mr. Pilgrim served as senator for the Junior Class during the 2022–2023 academic year. “I tell prospective students and football recruits about how Huntingdon really is a tight-knit family,” he said. “Faculty really care about you and will answer questions anytime.”

Treasurer Madison Haddock, Class of 2024, of Perdido, Alabama, is a business administration major and a member of the Presidential Fellows program. Her professional aspiration is to head a nonprofit organization that alleviates food poverty. She has interned with Central Alabama Works, a regional workforce council. “Huntingdon is a wonderful place to grow in communication and involvement,” she said. “There are so many opportunities.”

Secretary Samantha Cantavespre, Class of 2024, of Odenville, Alabama, is a biology major and member of the women’s softball team. She plans to further her education and professional development in the field of nursing after graduation. Although she was never involved with SGA previously, she said, “SGA here has a lot of pull in a positive way. People here are genuine, and I wanted to be a part of that. I never was an outgoing person before, but it’s different here. You’ll never feel left out at Huntingdon. People won’t let you sit around and be by yourself, and there’s always something going on that’s enjoyable to be involved with.”

Director of public relations Ben Barker, Class of 2025, of Wetumpka, Alabama, is a biochemistry/pre-health major and a member of the Hawks football team. “I decided to do public relations for SGA because I feel strongly as a student about knowing what’s going on—being informed about what’s happening on campus,” he said. “I believe each and every incoming student at Huntingdon College should take advantage of the numerous opportunities to get involved in the many different campus organizations in order to meet new people, make new connections, and explore new horizons.”

Noting the various ways she and her cabinet members are involved at Huntingdon, President McIntyre said, “One of the reasons I chose Huntingdon is because you can be more than just a student and more than just an athlete here. You don’t have to be defined by any one thing but can explore many different options. There is such support for everyone to succeed here.”

The cabinet members will serve until the final day of the 2023–2024 academic year.

Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, is a coeducational residential liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church offering more than thirty undergraduate programs of study, a Master of Athletic Training program, 21 NCAA-Division III athletic teams, coed E-Sports teams, and special academic programs including the Presidential Fellows Program, the Hobbs Honors Program, and the Kingswood Initiative.

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