On Campus: GREG ABT

Why did you want to come to GSU?

Georgia State was my first choice for college, and I have not once regretted it in my three years as a student here. My father is an alum, and his mother went here before it even was Georgia State. My older brother is a Georgia State graduate, and my younger brother is going here as well.

What activities are you involved in?

I'm an Eagle Scout, a brother in the GSU chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity, and a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne School. I have served in numerous leadership roles in Georgia State's Army ROTC program, and since May 1, I have been president of the Student Government Association.

What are your goals as SGA president?

A campaign promise that we have already fulfilled was slashing the SGA retreat from last year's cost of $16,000 to this year's frugal summer conference of less than $1,200. We are also working with the university to implement a "Repeat to Replace Policy" that would allow students to retake a class that they had done poorly in and replace that grade with their new one. We will be initiating programs to increase Panther Pride, such as a t-shirt swap where students can turn in their old non-GSU clothing for new Georgia State apparel purchased by the SGA. I also want to improve campus safety, cut wasteful spending by SGA and bring the USA Today Collegiate Newspaper Readership program to campus.

What is the coolest thing you've done so far as SGA president?

It's been a great privilege to represent Georgia State at campus events, student advisory councils, the Board of Regents meetings and other activities. I particularly enjoyed swearing in the first- year students during Freshman Convocation.

What are your future plans?

I want to be an Army officer. I like the military lifestyle and serving my country. I will be commissioned as an officer right after I graduate in May 2010.

You spent the summer on Army bases. What did you learn there?

This summer, I took a Leadership Development Assessment Course at Fort Lewis in Washington and I shadowed a second lieutenant at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. A big thing I picked up there is: Don't give people an excuse to fail. Set goals and achieve them.