Class of '97 Chooses Marshals

Allyson V. Hobbs '97 and Eli K. Aheto '97 have been elected the first class marshals for the Class of 1997, the Alumni Association announced Friday.

The second, third and fourth Harvard marshals are John W. Turner '97, Vivek H. Maru '97 and Kevin C. Scott '97, respectively.

The second, third and fourth Radcliffe marshals are Christine M. Perez '97, Milicent J. Odunze '97 and Marcia M. Turner '97, respectively.

Voter turnout this year was low in comparison to previous years, with only about 710 seniors voting, as opposed to the 800 or 900 that usually vote, according to Diane Jellis, associate director for classes and reunions.

Jellis said this year marks the first time the class marshal elections were not held in conjunction with Undergraduate Council elections, but she said she does not think this change accounts for the low turnout.

Duties for class marshals include presiding over class committee meetings, planning programs for the senior class, communicating class concerns to alums, choosing a class secretary and treasurer and working with the Senior Gift Office, according to Aheto.

The newly-elected marshals, who had already survived an initial paring-down from 86 to 16 candidates, said they were excited to hear about their selection.

"It's a good group of people," John Turner said. "We'll work very well together."

The group held an informal dinner meeting last night to get acquainted with each other, Marcia Turner said.

"At least I know one thing that I'll be doing for the rest of my life," she said.

The new marshals said they ran for the post because they are interested in planning activities for the senior class and working with alums.

"It's a great way to stay in contact with Harvard and give a little back to the University," Perez said.

Over the past three years, the marshals have been involved in a variety of activities on campus, including the Yearbook, CityStep, Mission Hill, the Institute of Politics, the Crimson Key Society, the University Lutheran homeless shelter, the prefecting program, One to One, HAND and the Harvard Political Review.

Although the marshals said they are not sure what kinds of activities they will hold, Hobbs, who is a Crimson editor, said she is interested in starting Senior Bars earlier than the traditional 97 days before graduation--not to encourage drinking, but to foster class-bonding.