AMHERST, N.Y. -- The Daemen College Student Association officially transferred responsibilities from the outgoing to the newly elected president at the organization’s second annual gavel ceremony, a new tradition started at the college last year.

At the May 3 event, outgoing president Mark Poblocki of Akron, passed the gavel to Brandon Michael of Bronx, who has been elected to serve as president of the Daemen Student Association for the 2016-17 academic year.

Other newly elected officers on the Student Association Executive Board were recognized at the ceremonial dinner, including Mopati Kuswani of Amherst, vice president of governing; Hugo Juarez of Ridgewood, vice president of programming; Taylor Heinold of Hamburg, vice president of collegiate affairs; Shamella Jeffers of Brooklyn, treasurer; and Andrew Bojanowski of Hamburg, secretary. Class presidents will be elected this fall and will join the Executive Board to make up the 10-member Student Association Senate.

“The ceremonial passing of the gavel is an important part of enhancing the student experience for this core leadership group as they take on the responsibilities of the Student Association executive roles,” said Chris Malik, director of student activities, who oversaw the gavel ceremony.