ΒιΆΉΚΣΖ΅

JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 21, 2011 — Delegates from ΒιΆΉΚΣΖ΅ University to the 42nd General Assembly of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature earned the Best Delegation award for their role in the proceedings Nov. 17-20 at the State Capitol in Nashville.

TISL is a statewide organization formed in 1966 to give college students a voice in state government. The nonpartisan organization convenes a General Assembly each year, held in the Tennessee General Assembly’s chambers, for students to introduce debate and vote on legislation about state issues.

Seventeen ΒιΆΉΚΣΖ΅ University students participated in the event.

The Best Delegation designation is given to the group that distinguishes itself by being active during debates, presenting good bills and overall involvement in the proceedings. At the end of the session, the members of the executive council select the recipient of the Best Delegation from among the 40 colleges and universities represented at the assembly.

ΒιΆΉΚΣΖ΅ has won the Best Delegation award three years in a row, and four times in the last five years.

β€œWe were involved in every area of TISL, from the House, to the Senate, to the lobbying program, to the Supreme Court,” said Karl Magnuson, president of ΒιΆΉΚΣơ’s Student Government Association and leader of ΒιΆΉΚΣơ’s TISL delegation. β€œIt’s a big deal to us that such a small school could have gotten this three years in a row. ΒιΆΉΚΣΖ΅ is really respected.”

ΒιΆΉΚΣΖ΅ junior Shelly Ezell served as speaker pro tem of the House of Representatives for this year’s meeting, while Magnuson was the House’s chief clerk. ΒιΆΉΚΣΖ΅ freshman Michael Adkisson was elected speaker pro tem of the Senate for next year’s meeting after staging a successful write-in campaign.

Junior Kirby Lewis was chosen this summer as a Supreme Court justice for next year’s General Assembly, and will serve as the court’s chief justice.