The First University Presidents of American Legion Buckeye Boys State: A New Road

On Tuesday afternoon, the applause of the crowd echoed throughout Millet Stadium as five young adults made their way up, one-by-one to be officially recognized as University Presidents of the American Legion Buckeye Boys State (ALBBS) 88th session, a job that has never existed until this year.

A University President is the “Chief Executive Officer of an institution. Their duties often include, but are not limited to: overseeing the university’s strategic vision, managing financial and budgeting issues, and directing fundraisers for grants, funding, and more. 

This Wednesday, Colin Gilliland of Weldon City, alongside the other University Presidents, is creating a Latin motto and a map of the campus. In the future, they plan to create a budget, fight for grants and other legislation, and get AP and CCP classes ready. 

Gilliland states that the staff is, “One of the most involved positions here [in Buckeye Boys State]. [University Presidents] go to the City, County, State… [and are] involved everywhere.” 

He describes how it is “one of the greatest honors [Gilliland] ever had…a highlight of [Gilliland’s] whole high school career.” This position allowed Gilliland to experience both the political and financial aspects the ALBBS has to offer.

Another University President, Tucker Phipps of Weldon City, describes the job as “[Having] been put in a great situation where [Phipps] can…forge a great program for…the future of University Presidents in this entire new section…[of] Buckeye Boys state.” He plans to work on “Creating a sense of identity for the university and also tackling some possible problems the universities would be facing in the real world.”

Kanaan McKinney, another University President from the city of Zulch, cherishes education deeply, believing “It is one of the most important things that you can never stop [experiencing in life].” 

He states being, “A University President will really put [him] in touch with how this whole process works and how [he] can help it.” 

All the University Presidents truly felt it was an honor to be appointed to this prestigious new job and believe they will hold a heavy impact in starting the legacy for future University Presidents at ALBBS.