UC Personalities: Gordon Hamby

I met the student government president in his office last Saturday. Tall and perpetually smiling, the communications major greeted me as if I was the most exciting person he’d met all week.

Within minutes it was easy to see how he was able to win the votes of so many students, but it wasn’t so apparent to Hamby when the notion of running was first mentioned to him.

Initially Hamby didn’t see himself as a potential SGA president. He felt that he was too far from the typical UCD student, too out of the box to do it, but his involvement with Peer Advocate Leaders along with several other organizations, and his Rosa Parks Diversity award pushed him into the spotlight and made him more visible on campus.

Hamby began to be approached by classmates and faculty who encouraged him to run. Hamby said that he “didn’t plan or intend to [run for SGA president], people came to me.” Once the decision was made, he had to find a running mate, and he feels he found the perfect partner in Natalia Gayou.

Now Hamby and Natalia are off and running doing everything they can to bring the school together and ensure the SGA has a successful year.

During his tenure as SGA president, Hamby hopes to make the SGA more visible among the student body. This would include increasing the accessibility and transparency of the organization.

Hamby also wants each member of the SGA to have the fullest experience possible and to perform his or her duties from start to finish so the organization works as well as possible.

When I asked Hamby what students could expect from him, he said, “They can expect me to be their voice to the administration…an accurate voice.” Hamby wants to be a voice for all students—the ones who participate and the ones who silently sit back. Hamby wants to be their voices and protect their rights.

But Hamby isn’t all work. On Fridays throughout the summer he could be seen playing the guitar and singing his own original music at Bonnie Brae.

He also likes to use his hands. Carpentry is how he unwinds. And, of course, family is very important to him. The day of our interview was his wedding anniversary. He proudly showed me the card his wife had sent with him that morning and his eyes lit up when he mentioned his grandchildren. “My time with them is invaluable. When I’m with them, no cell phone, computer, nothing.”

A friendly guy full of ambition and high expectations, Hamby exudes excitement about what the upcoming year will bring.