We asked all sixteen 2019 student Union Board Directors a few questions so you can get to know them all a little bit better.
Patricia Cornejo
2019 Role on Union Board: President
Major(s): English Literature, Spanish Literature, and Political Science
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
My roommate asked me to go to a Lectures committee meeting with her when Yasmine Raolf was the director. I thought it was really interesting that students were able to plan such amazing events, at my first meeting I was hooked and asked Yasmine how I could become a director, the rest is history 🙂
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
- 2017 – Lectures Committee Member
- 2018 – Lectures Director
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I want every student to know Union Board’s role on campus, I want them to know our mission and how we are unique to other organizations on campus. I want to expand Union Board and bring in new members of different backgrounds, cultures, and opinions. I want Union Board to put on the best events possible, I want us to innovate and better ourselves.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
- 2018 – Planning a responsive event (the Parkland Shooting Event) in 8 days. I remember receiving the e-mail and thinking there was no way. But, Mara supported me! The event was hard not just the physical planning but the emotional aspect of it. Students from the School of Education, high school students, community members came to this event and felt a semblance of healing.
- 2019 – Slowly but surely meeting and getting to know every one of my directors. They all so unique and talented. I cannot wait to see what they come up with!
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? The Owlery
What is your favorite movie? Frida, Coco, the Harry Potter Franchise
What is your favorite candy? Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
What is one fun fact about yourself?
After undergrad, I would like to attend law school and pursue international business in Latino America (Not very fun? lol)
Alternative fun fact: I studied classical music and singing for 10 years 🙂
Teja Vontikommu
2019 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Finance
Major(s): Finance, Information Systems
Class of 2021
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I was volunteering at a Big Friday Late Nite, and a member saw me volunteering. She’s seen me at a couple of Late Nites in the past and asked if I’d be interested in joining Union Board. I went to a meeting and liked the committee.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I was a member of Late Nite during the fall of my freshman year and during my spring semester of freshman year, I moved up as an Assistant Director of Late Nite.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I want to help increase our overall budget through CFR.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
During our Halloween Late Nite, former Late Nite director Kade Padgett decided to go around the office, wearing a clown mask and scaring everyone.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Siam House
What is your favorite movie? Airplane
What is your favorite candy? Andes’ Mints
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I am a state chess champion.
Hannah Marshall
2019 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Internal Affairs
Major(s): Media, Advertising, Public Relations
Minor(s): Nonprofit Management
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
My aunt was involved with Union Board when she went to IU and told me to check it out!
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I was the Marketing Lead for Performance and Entertainment for the 2018 year and a committee member the semester before that.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I want to raise our retention rate and also want to implement more internal bonding activities.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
Any conversation I have with THE Jennifer Parks.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Buffa Louie’s
What is your favorite movie? She’s All That
What is your favorite candy? Swedish Fish
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I have never been out of the country, but I’m going for the first time this summer for an internship in London!
Sohile Ali
2019 Role on Union Board: VP of Marketing
Major(s): Intelligent Systems Engineering
Minor(s): Media & Creative Advertising
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I saw a poster for Trevor Noah performing last April and knew I had to be involved with this somehow, someway. I went up to the Union Board office to find the Performance and Entertainment Committee meeting. I was immediately welcomed in and helped to execute weekly trivia, the acapella show, and Trevor Noah’s show at IU Auditorium on April 27th, 2018.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I was a member and then Assistant Director for the Performance and Entertainment committee. Assisting with organizing trivia series, contacting on-campus performers, and ushering at Trevor Noah’s show. I was also the photographer/videographer for “An Evening with Terry Crews” which is one of the greatest stories I have to tell.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
As VP of Marketing, I hope to continue to tell the Indiana Memorial Union Board story. I hope to lead a team in creating engaging and interesting content in the form of graphics, photos, and videos that promote and bring awareness to all of the events planned by our board. I hope to have great communication with each of the programming directors in order to implement and execute a marketing strategy for their committee the best way possible.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
While taking photos and video of Terry Crews at the meet & greet in the IMU President’s Room, having Terry sign my stick of Old Spice deodorant. Also putting my arm around Terry to take a video of him giving a message to parents.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Malibu Grill
What is your favorite movie? The Dark Knight
What is your favorite candy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I was once in a Skype call with Mark Hamill.
Seth Blunt
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of Performance & Entertainment
Major(s): Arts Management
Minor(s): Business
Class of 2021
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I got involved first semester freshmen year through meeting the Director of Music that year, Matt Steinman. We both shared a passion for music so I joined Union Board that semester getting involved with concerts and other events.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
Music Committee Member
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I want to program memorable events for the students of IU so that I can have an impact on the community. I want to continue the tradition of creating excellent programs for the students.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
Volunteering for the Block Party in 2018 getting the chance tour involved with a large scale event from start to finish.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Dats
What is your favorite movie? Step Brothers
What is your favorite candy? Reeses
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I have been to Mexico three times.
Noah Bryles
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of Music
Major(s): Marketing, Management
Class of 2021
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I was first introduced to Union Board when a friend of mine introduced me to his best friend and former Music Director, Matt Steinman. I joined the board and the entire committee, directors Mark and Matt, helped me to become integrated immediately. My first semester on the board freshman year I was able to help put together the Live From Bloomington Album and the Bloomington Music Summit.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
My first semester of freshman year in the fall of 2017, I joined the Music Committee as a member. Last spring I applied and became the Marketing Lead for the Music Committee, and helped to lead the marketing efforts for the Little 500 Concert and Block Party.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
As a Union Board director, I want to push all committees to go outside of the norms and history of their respective committees. I think that this year on the board can set the tone for future boards and drive in the idea that we truly do have the power to create what the student body wants and needs in ways never done before. On the Music Committee, it is my goal to bring more than two concerts to IU over my term, as well as creating other programming like Artist Q and A’s and meet and greets.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
My favorite Union Board memory was my first meeting. I arrived at my first Music Committee meeting without an idea of who would be there, but I never felt more at home. The directors and committee allowed me to have just as much voice as them while we created the Live From Bloomington album. For over an hour I was able to listen hundreds of submissions before arriving at the tracklist for the album, but I knew from that day that no matter what role I would have in UB, my voice was a crucial part in the organization.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Nick’s
What is your favorite movie? Interstellar
What is your favorite candy? Kit Kat
What is one fun fact about yourself?
In life, I have two passions. The first is music, but the second is snowboarding and wakeboarding. I grew up with a lake house with a family who put me on boards at the age of 5, and ever since then, my favorite hobbies have become snow and wakeboarding. I am at my lake house every weekend of the summer and head to Colorado as often as I can in the winter.
Ike Eguzouwa
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of Music
Major(s): Information Systems, Operations Management
Minor(s): Informatics
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I received news of a callout meeting during Spring of 2018 and have been an active member of UB ever since.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
Yes, I was Assistant Director of Music in 2018
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
My goal is to have one of the best year’s in concerts students at IU have seen so far.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
One of my favorite Union Board memories was the 2019 Malkin Retreat at Bradford Woods. I had an incredible time getting to know all my fellow directors and advisors.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Z&C Teriyaki and Sushi
What is your favorite movie? The Social Network
What is your favorite candy? Skittles
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I have played various musical instruments since the age of 5.
Sadia Habib
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of Science and Environment
Major(s): Undecided
Class of 2022
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
They put on great events and as a freshman, I jumped at the opportunity to do more on campus.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
Committee Member
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
My goal is to make sure that by the end of the year people stop running away when they see the words “science and environment” and instead realize how fun our events can be. I also hope to provide students of all backgrounds with programs they truly enjoy so that every one of them feels special and included.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
The Malkin Retreat
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Mr.Hibachi Buffet
What is your favorite movie? Harry Potter
What is your favorite candy? Do I have to pick one?
What is one fun fact about yourself?
My first and last name put together mean “Goodluck Sweetheart”
Dynasty Hubbard
2019 Role on Union Board: Performance and Entertainment Director
Major(s): Community Health and Exercise Science
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I began my involvement with Union Board by becoming an assistant director for a really good friend of mine. His committee was called current topics and when I joined I got to plan a great program with Michael Brown, Senior. He talked about his son, what happened, the current status and how he’s handling the situation.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I’ve been in the following roles:
- Committee member of Body & Mind
- Assistant director of Current Topics
- Director of Hoosier Hour
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I hope to make the campus more aware of Union Board and make them utilize us more!
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
One of my favorite Union Board memories is attending the play boi Carti concert! After a semester-long of work, we got to enjoy ourselves with the students.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Asuka
What is your favorite movie? Scooby-Doo
What is your favorite candy? Snickers
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love to take photos and make videos!
Chea Yeun Kim
2019 Role on Union Board: Late Nite Director
Major(s): International Studies, Chinese
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I got involved with Union Board because I have been going to some of past Late Nite events, and had a chance to see the whole organization during the call out meeting last semester.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I have been an active member of Late Nite committee prior to 2019, as well serving the committee as a marketing lead of Late Nite.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I want to make Late Nite a series of fun, inclusive events at the IMU, full of various attractions for everybody.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
One of my favorite Union Board memories would be this year’s Malkin retreat since this retreat really helped the Union Board directors to come together and get to know each other better. I think the bond we have between directors would not have existed without the Malkin retreat.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Homie Hotpot & Sushi
What is your favorite movie? Ocean’s 8
What is your favorite candy? Haribo peach gummies
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I have too many fun facts about myself, but if I had to choose one, I like to confuse Uber drivers who ask “So… where are you from?” question by simply saying “Indianapolis” or “Indy.” I love seeing the confused look on their face, trying not to ask “well, where are your parents from?” question.
Lauren Long
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of Science and Environment
Major(s): Neuroscience, Human Development and Family Studies, Linguistics
Minor(s): Spanish
Class of 2021
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I became a part of Union Board this past summer, serving as the director of Live From Bloomington. The organization first came into my world when Sohile Ali, who was interviewing me for a Resident Assistant position at IU, mentioned his involvement with UB and how much he had grown personally and professionally from his experience. After hearing about his experience and the goals of UB, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of- I then reached out to him early in the summer to begin working with summer board.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I served as the director of Live From Bloomington during Summer board in 2018
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I intend to ensure that each event is an inclusive, diverse space as well as to advance appreciation for and participation in science/environment during my term.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
One of my favorite Union Board memories is meeting my co-director, Sadia Habib. We immediately knew that we liked each other, and she is my perfect complement in the workplace. Not only this, but she is a lovely, wonderful friend- she brings so much joy and intelligence to my days and I am very thankful to work with her and to know her.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington?  Uptown Cafe
What is your favorite movie? Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom
What is your favorite candy? Tropical Sour Patch Kids
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I want to retire on the moon!
Fuhang Mou
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of Interdisciplinary Connections
Major(s): Biotechnology
Minor(s): LAMP Certificate, Marketing, Healthcare Management and Policy
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
As a committee member on 108’s Spirit and Traditions Committee. Emceed World’s Fare and worked on the Homecoming Float.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
Committee member on 108’s Spirit and Traditions Committee.
Elected to 109 Board and founded the Interdisciplinary Connections committee. Elected and continue to lead the committee on 110 Board.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
Create more programs to help students connect and learn more about the professional world and various paths of study.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
Bringing my best friend to the 2018 Little 500 concert.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Farm Bloomington
What is your favorite movie? Argo
What is your favorite candy? Ferrero Rocher
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I have never tasted coffee.
Olivia Owens
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of Lectures
Major(s): Individualized Major: “Global Conflict Analysis”
Minor(s): Spanish; International Studies: Diplomacy, Security, and Governance; Central Eurasian Studies: Turkish
Class of 2021
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
One of the former presidents actually went to my high school. He visited my Spanish teacher one day and she introduced us. The two of them (my teacher was an IU alum) convinced me that when I started school in August, I should join Union Board because it would be an anchor for me in college. He spoke on how this organization empowered him as a leader, as an organizer, and as a collaborator. When the Student Involvement Fair rolled around a couple months later, I made a beeline for the UB table. And the rest is history! 🙂
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I was also the Director of Lectures for the 2018 board.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
A lot of things! First off, taking from what I learned in this role last year, I want to find a balance between putting both inspiring and educational speakers in front of students along with ones who are entertaining and light-hearted. My whole mission for my committee is to find gaps in what is being programmed for the student body and create events that cater to a wide variety of needs. To do that, my committee and I have to constantly ask ourselves, “Does this serve all students? Does this fit with annual trends and attitudes? Does this represent our diverse campus to its fullest capacity?” If I can continue to program in that manner, I will leave my term in December feeling accomplished.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
My favorite memory with Union Board has got to be my first large-scale lecture, Terry Crews. He gave an amazing speech on the MeToo movement, toxic masculinity, and racism. Due to the current climate of the country at that time, his perspective was fresh and needed and deeply, deeply impactful. As a viewer, I was blown away by hearing a male celebrity walk through what toxic masculinity is and how he’s trying to break the cycle. As a woman, I was blown away by his decree that I am his equal and I am powerful–my gender reinforces that fact instead of diminishing it. And as a human, I was blown away by his insistence that we all have something in our lives that “isn’t okay” but because of that, we all have a chance to be vulnerable and we all have stories that can heal and shape those around us. These are the types of lectures I hope to always plan and it set the course for who I am as a Union Board Director. Plus, I got to ride in a car with him afterward and discuss our favorite types of yogurt…BIG PLUS
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Sofra Cafe
What is your favorite movie? Roman Holiday
What is your favorite candy? Red Vines
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I am learning Turkish here at IU. It is weird and wonderful and one of the best parts of my academic career. I LOVE languages and traveling so come talk to me about them!
Alaina Patterson
2019 Role on Union Board: Films Director
Major(s): Apparel Merchandising
Minor(s): French and Small Business Management
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I got involved my freshman year with the films committee! I would always come every weekend to see what films were playing and I wanted to be apart of the films committee.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I was a member of the Films committee.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I want to implement new partnerships and events into the Films schedule like TV Screenings and discussion panels.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
One of my favorite Union Board memories was playing mafia at the fall retreat!
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Feast
What is your favorite movie? The Social Network
What is your favorite candy? Dark Chocolate
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I’ve been to all 50 states!
Alex Ruschman
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of the Canvas Creative Arts Committee
Major(s): International Studies and Central Eurasian Studies
Class of 2021
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
My childhood best friend and previous Canvas Director, Ria Rebein, invited me to check out the committee. I have always been interested in the arts and decided to give it a try, and I’ve been with Union Board ever since.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
In 2018, I was the Assistant Director of the Indiana Memorial Union Gallery (the Starbucks Gallery).
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
I would like to put on successful and fun creative art events for IU students that allow them to express their creative processes, create platforms that allow them to grow as artists and writers, and also challenge them to broaden their perspectives of art and expose them to new ideas.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
One of my favorite Union Board memories is from last year when Canvas was working on a project where we had to paint these large wooden boards for a mural. To work on them, though, we had to work in the basement of the IMU in what used to be the old gun range. Needless to say, working late nights in a part of the building that looked like part of a haunted house was terrifying, but the group’s joking around and blasting Rihanna made it a fond memory.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Ami and Sofra Cafe
What is your favorite movie? The Princess Bride
What is your favorite candy? Twix
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I really enjoy making art but I also love dancing. I used to be in a Latin dance group in high school and we performed twice in Vegas.
Ethan Schwartz
2019 Role on Union Board: Director of Lectures
Major(s): Marketing
Minor(s): International Business, Environmental and Public Policy
Class of 2020
How did you first get involved with Union Board?
I was introduced to Union Board by my father, who was a concerts director in 1986. I was a brand new freshman at IU and wanted to get involved on campus. He recommended I look into working with Union Board as it’s a great place to meet people and gain meaningful experience in event planning and working as part of a team.
How were you involved with Union Board prior to 2019? (Roles, etc.)
I had been the Assistant Director for Films as well as the Marketing Lead for Lectures.
What do you want to accomplish as a Union Board Director this year?
It’s my goal to have more inclusive programming. Our events usually are aimed at the widest audience possible, for obvious reasons. However, I want to have smaller-scale events that are more tailored to particular audiences that will let them know we’re thinking about them and that their involvement with campus events is important to us.
What’s one of your favorite Union Board memories?
Staying up late with my fellow directors at the retreat was incredibly fun. We were just getting to know each other and playing games. It was when I realized how much fun I was going to have working with all these people over the next year.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bloomington? Siam House
What is your favorite movie? Goodfellas
What is your favorite candy? Kit Kat
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I worked for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a Media Relations intern for the summer of 2018.
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