Class of 2015 Selects Class Marshals

While the eight class marshals elected to represent the Class of 2015 hail from seven different Houses, more than half study Economics, and only two are female.

Nearly 1,000 members of the Class of 2015 submitted ballots for class marshal in the final round of voting, according to an email sent to seniors by the Alumni Association and Harvard College Fund on Monday. After weeks of campaigning on Facebook, through email, and in person, the eight were chosen from 16 candidates—whittled down from the initial 49 in the first round of voting.

All of the marshals expressed their surprise and delight upon receiving notification of their election.

Megan B. Prasad ’15, an inactive Crimson magazine editor, emphasized the large number of qualified candidates who ran for the eight positions this year.

“I felt like anybody that got it would be so great for the senior class and would make senior year really fun, so when I found out that I was picked I just felt really humbled,” she said.

Chisom M. Okpala ’15, named Second Class Marshal, said she was thrilled when she saw the results of the election.

“I couldn’t be more excited, working with such an incredible group of senior class marshals,” she said. “They’re all my friends, and we are going to have such a great working dynamic.”

Many of the newly elected marshals stressed the importance of planning inclusive programming for, what they described as, a very diverse senior class.

First Class Marshal Sietse K. Goffard ’15, who also serves as the vice president of the Undergraduate Council, called for an “inclusive community,” and Aleja A. Jimenez Jaramillo ’15 said he wants to make events “accessible for all students,” regardless of socioeconomic status, racial and cultural diversity, and physical disabilities.

Joshua B. Scott ’15 said he plans to reach out to his fellow seniors to determine what types of events they would prefer.

Bob Wu ’15 emphasized the significance of the traditional “Last Chance Dance” during Senior Week, particularly after the Class of 2015’s “First Chance Dance” was canceled due to an impending hurricane at the start of their freshman year.

Sudheer R. Poluru ’15 said he envisions such projects as a “thesis fairy” network and celebratory activities to support the seniors writing theses throughout the year.

In addition to planning events for seniors, the Senior Class Committee is tasked with inviting the Class Day speakers. Prasad said she believes humor befits Class Day, pointing to speeches in previous years by guests like Amy Poehler and Andy Samberg, and hopes to see someone with similar comedic skills take the stage in May. Jimenez Jaramillo noted that Beyoncé and Mindy Kaling would provide ideal Class Day entertainment and inspiration.

Though their on-campus activities run the gamut from House Committees to Crimson Key Society to the Expressions Dance Company, Prasad noted that the eight marshals are already a close-knit group.

Chika-Dike O. Nwokike ’15, an inactive Crimson photo editor, said that he has collaborated with many of his fellow marshals in various capacities, and that he is excited to work with them on planning senior events.

“I wasn’t surprised by any of the choices; they’re all incredible candidates,” he said. “They’re all very responsible individuals, and they’re all very well-loved in the community at Harvard.”

—Staff writer Nikki D. Erlick can be reached at nikki.erlick@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @nikkierlick.

—Staff writer Brianna D. MacGregor can be reached at brianna.macgregor@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @bdmacgregor.