The Digital Bullpen

The news site of the USF School of Mass Communications, covering life on and around the University of South Florida campus

Search

you're reading...

Student Government

5 things you don’t know about the SG presidential slates: Alan Ethington and Nicholas Piracci

Posted by Nicholas Trobiano ⋅ February 27, 2012 ⋅ Leave a Comment

Alan Ethington and Nicholas Piracci.

The only candidates in bow ties and top hats, Alan Ethington and Nicholas Piracci are ready to change the USF Tampa campus and want to do it in style. Inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, the two juniors hope to win the USF Student Government presidential election by lowering the stress level of going to college.

Here are the top five things you need to know about Ethington and Piracci:

1. Neither Ethington nor Piracci are political science majors nor are they members of SG. Ethington majors in economics, and Piracci studies biology. Despite their lack of experience in USF politics, Ethington said he doesn’t think the two are unprepared.

“Every job, as soon as you get there, the first thing they do is train you how to do your job,” Ethington said. “It’s not like you have to be a political science major, and you should be in Student Government for three years to be the perfect candidate.

Ethington added that he and Piracci understand politics.

“Both of us are very active in actual politics going on, such as following Ron Paul and the other candidates in the GOP debate,” Ethington said.

2. Ethington started saving money to fund his campaign since his freshman year of college.

“Ever since I discovered the power that the president has, and the power he has to help out and influence the student body and the board of trustees,” Ethington said, “ever since I found out all that information and did some more research on it and knew it was something I wanted to do, I’ve been saving roughly about $25 a week for the past two and a half years.”

3. The running mates hope to reduce the number of Gold Zone (GZ) parking spaces around the Tampa campus. They say the spaces are very undersold this year, and the empty spaces should go to students rather than remain vacant. They propose to convert many of those spaces to Student (S) spaces if elected. They explain their proposal in further detail in a video on their website.

4. In addition to classes, Piracci volunteers at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

“I work at the information desk,” Piracci said. “Basically, I’m a greeter so everyone who comes in, I let them know where they’re going and what they have to do. I print out schedules and also take people where they need to go if they need assistance.”

5. Ethington and Piracci have worn bow ties, suits and top hats on campus every day since Feb. 13, the first day of campaigning.

“I don’t wear the top hat during class; I take the top hat off,” Ethington said. “I think with just a couple of exposures, people will definitely remember who I am and what I’m trying to work for.”

Visit the Ethington/Piracci website for more information about the running mates.

About Nicholas Trobiano

Nicholas Trobiano is a magazine journalism major at the University of South Florida and freelance designer and photographer. He works as a a style intern for Creative Loafing Tampa and a graphic design intern for USF's Communications and Marketing department, where he most recently helped coordinate the NBC 2012 Republic Presidential Candidates Debate in Janurary 2012. He previously served as the graphic arts manager, entertainment editor, and assistant montage editor of USF’s student newspaper, “The Oracle,” as well as a news intern for WUSF Public Media. In 2011, he received a scholarship for his studies at the University of South Florida from the School of Mass Communications and the School's Garner Rose O'Brien Halderman Scholarship providers. When he is out of the office, he enjoys running, cooking, tweeting, and a great bottle of wine with friends. He currently resides in Tampa, Florida.

View all posts by Nicholas Trobiano »