Five men in the running to be named Gold Ambassador

Homecoming Week has arrived at Central Michigan University.

This week, five men will be recognized as the top five nominees for this year’s Homecoming Male Ambassador.

Hubbard Lake senior Nick Stepaniak, Lake City senior Craig Johnson, Highland senior Corey Jahlas, Otsego senior Justin Mendoza and Bloomfield Hills senior Scott Cooke are this year’s nominees. Of the five, students and faculty members will vote for one to become the new Gold Ambassador.  The winner will be announced this Friday.

Registered student organizations were the first to nominate the men. There was an application process following the original nominations to determine the top eight. After the application, they were interviewed by five judges.

“I have the honor of representing this University during Homecoming Week and throughout the year,” Stepaniak said. “(I know) how important it is to show that CMU is an amazing institution. “

Stepaniak was nominated by Alpha Sigma Phi. He is also involved with leadership safari, an Academic Orientation Mentor, works with the Student Budget Allocation Committee and works in the Office of Greek Life.

“Being nominated as a Homecoming ambassador is an incredible honor,” Johnson said. “It is more than being part of the Homecoming festivities, it’s about being part of a group of students that represent all factions of university life. “

Johnson was nominated by the Saxe/Herrig/Celani Hall Council. Johnson is a Mountain Town singer. He was previously a resident assistant, a member of the CMU Speech and Debate Team, an Academic Orientation Mentor, a member of Student Government and a member of the Residence Hall Assembly.

“(Being a nominee) makes all my experiences from the last four years come full circle, and I’m extremely honored to get the chance to represent the university this week,” Johnson said.

Jahlas was nominated by the Nu Pi Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, an all-male music fraternity on campus.

“Being an ambassador is a chance to give back to the CMU community,” Jahlas said. “Central has helped me to see the world in a new and exciting light, and has shown me how I can make a difference in the world.”

Jahlas is also the head Drum Major of the Chippewa Marching Band, a member of the basketball band, a member of Pi Kappa Lanbda Music Honors Society and a founding member of the Social Change Network. He is also co-organizing the IGNITE Leadership Program run through CMU’s Leadership Institute. This past summer, he had been a facilitator for the Residence Life’s Leadership Camp.

“I wouldn’t be who I am without CMU, so being an ambassador is my chance to give back to that which has given me so much,” Jahlas said.

Mendoza was nominated by the Alternative Breaks program for which he is a board member and a site leader.

“To be a Homecoming ambassador means to be able to spread your excitement for CMU and all that you do to everyone else,” Mendoza said. “It is an honor and a privilege to be acknowledged for everything you do on campus, and also to spread the word about these things.”

Mendoza is also the president of Universities Allied for Essential Medicines, a campus ambassador and a member of Eta Sigma Gamma.

“(Being an ambassador) is also a way to fuel your own passions, and hopefully ignite them I others,” Mendoza said.

Cooke was unavailable for comment prior to publication.