Meet the 2020 Union Board of Directors

New Year. New Board. Get to know your 2020 Indiana Memorial Union Board of Directors.

Seth Blunt

2020 Role on Union Board: President
Major(s): Arts Management
Minor(s): Business
School Year: Junior

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

I joined through a friend and came to a music committee meeting. I first heard of Union Board from the Post Malone concert. Zach Woodley influenced me to run for Union Board.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I was previously the director for performance and entertainment. I was also on the music committee for a year and a half.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

I want to lead and inspire the directors while growing the organization.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

My favorite memories from Union Board is when Teja pranks people.

What is your favorite band/group?  Beastie Boys

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The IMU

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why? The Union Board Office

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Teja Vontikommu

2020 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Finance
Major(s): Finance, Technology Management
Minor(s):
School Year: Junior

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

I was volunteering at a Big Friday Late Nite, and a member saw me volunteering. She’s seen me at a lot of Late Nites in the past and asked if I’d be interested in joining Union Board. I went to a meeting led by Kade Padget and liked the committee’s dynamics.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I was a member of Late Nite during the fall of my freshman year. During my spring semester of freshman year, I moved up as an Assistant Director of Late Nite. I continued to improve my leadership roles as the Vice President of Finance for the 110th Board.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

I want to help the Board be more confident in their programs, both financially and mentally. This board has a lot of great new ideas, and I want to help them execute their ideas into reality. I also want to help make the next Vice President of Finance successful when proposing to the Committee for Fee Review.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

During my last term (110th Board), our board went to the Bradford Woods for our fall retreat. We changed our setup a bit in that all of the Union Board student directors got one cabin and the advisors/staff got the other. The board decided to play hide and seek at night, where there were no lights and because we were in the middle of the woods, our cabin was pitch black. I remember finding Noah Bryles hiding on top of the refrigerator.

What is your favorite band/group?  Mates of State

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  How close the campus is to the downtown area, giving me access to a variety of restaurants and shops

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

My favorite space in the IMU is the bowling and billiards area. Because I am a gamer, I always find that space a place to destress after a long day of academics and extracurriculars.

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Olivia Owens

2020 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Internal Affairs
Major(s): Individualized Major Program: “Global Conflict Analysis”; CEUS: Turkish
Minor(s): Spanish
School Year: Junior

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

At the end of my senior year of high school, I was told by one of my teachers (an IU alum) that if I wanted to feel an instant connection to the campus and create roots right away, I should join Union Board. She knew that I was nervous about going to a larger school and had remembered the influence Union Board had on her time at IU. That was single-handedly the best piece of advice anyone gave me about coming to college. At the involvement fair that very first week of classes, [after a quick detour to the Big Cheese food truck] I ran straight up to the UB booth, signed up, and the rest is history 🙂

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I became a member the fall of my Freshman year and then was elected twice to serve as the Director of Lectures from 2018-2019.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

I want to expand the I.A. position to include not just a better experience for committee members/AD/marketing leads but for all who use the Union. To me, that means being committed to increasing institutional knowledge of UB, helping work on accessibility & sustainability initiatives, increase the number of new members while empowering our existing ones in unique and thoughtful ways, maintain an office culture that erases toxicity, unprofessionalism, and exclusion, and have consistent gratitude for this position that translates into tangible actions and outcomes.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

Can I have two??

The first was an event entitled “Surviving the Parkland Shooting”. This lecture was somehow put on in only 4 days. It was healing; it was heartbreaking; it was comforting. Life exists in the gray areas and this exemplified it. We had IU and UB alumna who was/is a teacher at Marjorie Douglas Parkland High School come and speak about gun violence, her experience that day, her love of her students, the future of teachers’ role in American education systems, and how students here can help. Following the event we had a Q&A, a vigil, and a time to learn about how to call senators/donate blood/and write to the families affected. Union Board is supposed to be a student voice on campus that has the capacity to respond to current news and provide understanding, safe spaces, and community. This event was that.

My other favorite event was Anderson Cooper. In contrast, this event took 10 months of planning. This was the first time we dared to bring someone so big and dedicated ourselves to finding sponsorships, creating unique marketing, and taking a grassroots approach to generating interest for the event. By the time it rolled around in late October, we had a sold-out venue, an endowment for the next year’s lecture, and a gaggle of deans and departments who knew the name, capacity, and purpose of Union Board. Anderson is one of my heroes and so to be able to pull off an event of this caliber with my committee was beyond incredible.

What is your favorite band/group?  Dolly Parton & Ensemble

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  The spaces of community I have found! Farmers Market regulars, climbing people at Hoosier Heights, fellow opera enthusiasts with season passes like me–it makes the city feel small.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The Byran Room! It radiates history and magic. I feel like I have been transported back in time because of its lack of modern renovations. And! You can see the entire university from that high up!

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Ethan Phillips

2020 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Marketing
Major(s): Economic Consulting and Finance
Minor(s):
School Year: Sophomore

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

I got involved through Late Nite and finding a place that felt like home. Afterwards I got involved with Summer Board and was able to find my family at IU. Which is why I kept coming back.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

Marketing Director – Summer Board

Assistant Director of Films – Fall 2019

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

To impact the Union and create a marketing legacy that I can come back in 20 years and still be proud of.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

When I helped put on the summer film “The Little Mermaid” and it was at the IU swimming pool.

What is your favorite band/group? Shawn Mendes

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The coffee shops

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The computer lab by the Dean’s Office because not many people are in there usually and it’s very nice and quiet.

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Karleen Fraker

2020 Role on Union Board: Director of Spirit and Traditions
Major(s): Marketing
Minor(s): Apparel Merchandising
School Year: Sophomore

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

During our freshman year, my roommate and I attended all the Late Nites. I became very passionate about alternative programming after singing karaoke for several Late Nite events in a row. A few months after attending my first Late Nite, I started working at an ice cream shop in Wells Library with then Director of Science and Environment, Sadia. I came into every shift and drilled her with questions about how to get involved with Union Board. I eventually worked up the courage to come check out the office and the rest is history!

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I was a committee member for Late Nite!

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

One goal I have as a director is to build an engaged committee. I want members to feel like the office is their home and UB is their family. I am also very excited to learn more about and partner with different organizations of campus, such as cultural centers, to cater to the IU community.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

One of my favorite Union Board memories is when a comedic band named Lewberger came in November 2019. While Lewberger performed their song “Things Got Silly Eating Chili” my friend, Ruth, and I got to go up on stage and pour cups of chili to hand out to the audience! Things definitely got silly… and messy.

What is your favorite band/group? The Beatles

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  The animals. The deer on Hillside Drive, the bunnies by Hutton, and of course the Mother Bear and her restaurant.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

My favorite space in the IMU is the bowling alley. I took a bowling class in this space, so I am very comfortable with these lanes. I like to bring my friends here to show off my skills and knowledge. I also have a Ziploc bag full of free game passes, so I will continue to frequent this spot for semesters to come.

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Mackenzie Knight

2020 Role on Union Board: Director of Lectures
Major(s): Individualized major: Policy and Intelligence Analysis; Arabic
Minor(s): Spanish
School Year: Junior

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

I was told about it in high school, but I decided to get involved after my best friend Olivia Owens joined and told me how much she loved it.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I served as Assistant Director of the Lectures committee for two years before running to be a director.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

As the Director of Lectures, I want to bring diverse, powerful speakers to discuss important topics. I want to bring speakers who represent underrepresented groups on campus and who bring challenging, new perspectives. I hope by the end of my term that Union Board is a name and organization known by all IU students.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

My favorite memory thus far is Union Board retreat. All of us 111 directors hit it off immediately, and I knew that we would be great friends.

What is your favorite band/group? Brockhampton

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The diversity and artsy-ness

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The Union Board office! I love coming up and seeing a bunch of my friends at any given time of day, and I love that I can come up here and work on homework, union board stuff, or just hang out.

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Anthony Morales

2020 Role on Union Board: Director of Social Impact
Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): Marketing, Counseling
School Year: Sophomore

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

I originally got involved with the Union Board through Sohil, my RA at Forest Residence Hall freshman year. I was eager to get involved with organizations on campus and Sohil recommended that I attend a callout meeting. It was the start or something so much bigger than I could of anticipated. Union Board’s mission to promote the interest of students and encourage student growth are fundamental reasons I stayed involved. I wanted to be a part of that picture. I wanted to help highlight the incredible student programs Union Board puts on.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I was an active member of the marketing committee. During my time with this committee, I developed essential marketing skills to promote upcoming events on campus to a diverse audience. I attended several large scale events as a photographer and videographer to help document some of the countless programs Union Board presented.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

My first goal is to bring awareness to social issues that not only affect the IU community but also larger topics from a global perspective. Second, I hope to create an inclusive platform for all students to voice and address the issues that are important to them.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

One of my favorite memories is this year during the Winter Retreat. It was the first time I bonded with the other directors in such an intimate and personal way. It was the start of growing friendships that I am so thankful to be apart of. I’ll never forget laughing so hard while playing board games that I needed to step away from the table.

What is your favorite band/group? U2

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  Opportunity. Whether it is through research, professional development, or leadership positions.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The South Lounge. The comfy chairs and always burning fireplace give this space a unique feel of home and hospitality.

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Sahil Patel

2020 Role on Union Board: Director of Films
Major(s): Finance and Business Analytics
Minor(s): Political Science
School Year: Sophomore

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

I had friends who were on Union Board, however, it still seemed very overwhelming. I was scared to dive deep until I helped but on the Gun Violence reactionary event last semester. Being involved in that planning process made me feel heard, and cemented my desire to get more involved.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I joined last semester as a member of the music committee.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

I want to work with more cultural organizations, and grow the films committee well beyond our weekly film series.

What is your favorite band/group? Pinegrove

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  That it gets dark so late/walking down Kirkwood and just always feeling so comfortable.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The South Lounge. It always made me feel so comfortable on campus, especially when I didn’t feel comfortable anywhere else. It creates a relaxing homey environment which I love.

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Sanjana Satish

2020 Role on Union Board: Live From Bloomington Director
Major(s): Marketing
Minor(s): Arts Management, Media & Creative Advertising
School Year: Sophomore

How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.

As soon as I left my first Block Party my first week on campus freshman year, I KNEW I had to get involved with the organization that put it on. The feeling I felt in the crowd, the excitement, the fun, it was overwhelming for me that day and was one of the first times I truly felt comfortable and excited about getting settled in college. Once I found out that a student organization was responsible for planning such a large scale event, I went to find out how I can join. However, I got caught up in the stress of freshman year and forgot to come to the meetings during my first semester. But all through my first semester, my friends and I would go to the IMU/Union Board Late Nite series and it soon became our Friday night spot for guaranteed fun! Once again, I found out Union Board was often part of putting on such a great series and so then, I took it as a sign to get involved since this organization kept finding a way back into my life. Once I joined, I found a wonderful community of others passionate about music and the industry and got a true support system, personally and professionally to help me grow. Joining UB was hands down the best decision I’ve made since coming to IU – not only has it given me a great network and amazing opportunities where I otherwise wouldn’t have, but most importantly it’s given me a true family of passionate, talented individuals.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

Prior to being a director, I was a marketing lead/assistant director for the music committee this past term (110 board).

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

My co-director, Bradley, and I are very ambitious with the LFB committee and are excited to expand the scope of LFB from what it’s been in the past. This involves planning more smaller shows, including local and student bands as well as coming up with creative events and collaborations with other student organizations. However, I’d say my biggest goal is the bring back the wonderful tradition of the LFB album and making sure that we have a digital album rolling out before the end of our term!

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

While I have a lot of amazing memories with this organization, I’d say one of my favorites to date is playing board/card games with everyone during the Malkin retreat. This was one of the first times that we all really got to know each other and bond as a board and I think it was instrumental in creating the group cohesion and rapport that we currently have.

What is your favorite band/group? The 1975

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? Siam House. Hands down.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The South Lounge is hands down my favorite IMU spot. It quickly became my favorite spot to study in mainly because it reminded me of home. Especially in the wintertime, the fireplace and seating made it feel very cozy and warm, giving me a nice home away from home and a place conducive to studying and relaxing.