Caleb Armbrust (2010-2011)
Full Name: Caleb Armbrust
Education: B.S. Fire and Safety Engineering Technology (2011)
Year Elected: Junior
The administration of Caleb Armbrust began quietly, however by the end of his tenure the Student Government Association would be faced with accusations of corruption, suppressing free speech, and impeachment proceedings against an executive cabinet member.
All of these events, save for the latter, were due to the alleged conduct of Executive Vice President Andrew Holcomb. Elected alongside Armbrust during the spring election of 2010, it seems their relationship turned sour quickly. In an interview with The Eastern Progress Armbrust said that trouble began during Executive Cabinet meetings over the summer due to a lack of communication from Holcomb, however Armbrust also stated that "I had issues but I didn’t have a constitutional complaint to hang my hat on." This would culminate in October when Holcomb had a formal complaint submitted against him by Committee on Committees Chair Megan Gosnell alleging dereliction of duty. This complaint was quickly dropped due to the failure of the Student Senate to form a committee of inquiry into the matter. It was at this point that Armbrust and Holcombs relationship had completely broken down. Armbrust would ask for Holcomb to step down from his position, but Holcomb simply waited for the dust to settle from Gosnell's complaint and remained. Armbrust stated that from that point on, Holcomb only did what was necessary to keep his position.
However, these issues would catch up to Holcomb when he faced his greatest challenge yet. In early February, Holcomb spoke with Chair of Student Rights Cari Tretina and Freshman Senator Danielle Holston and demanded their resignations. Holcomb reasoned that their resignation was needed due to Tretina and Holston making comments critical of university administration during an interview with the Progress that were later published. The senators complied, however the backlash against the SGA and Holcomb was immediate. In a Progress article, Perspectives Editor Kaylia Cornett stated, "The right thing to say isn’t always the easiest, or the easiest to accept. That’s why the fight for rights is so controversial. So instead of standing still, use your right. If you believe they were wronged, let it be heard. SGA can’t shut us all up, can they?"
On March 3, 2011, Chief of Staff Matt White and Treasurer Elijah House submitted a formal complaint against Holcomb with the SGA Ethics Administrator Philip Migyanko. This complaint alleged further dereliction of duty and a failure of essential communication by Holcomb in his continued failure to attend required meetings. Based upon these complaints, White and House recommended Holcomb be impeached and removed from his position. A committee of inquiry was formed and completed its investigation within two days, but following inquiries by the Progress regarding the expediency of the process the committee reopened the investigation for additional follow ups.
It was during this time that the senators who had resigned submitted applications for appointments to the Student Senate to fill vacant seats. The decision for the appointment of senators however, rested with the man who had asked for their resignations in the first place. After their applications were denied, eight senators joined together and sponsored a piece of legislation to force a reinstatement vote within the Student Senate. Holcomb refused to add this bill to the agenda, leading to Student Senator Leo Comerlato confronting the EVP during open discussion with a petition signed by three hundred members of the student body wishing for the reinstatement of Tretina and Holston. According to the recollection of Student Rights Chair Matt Thacker, Holcomb stated that he didn't care if 16,000 students (the total student population at the time) signed that petition, and that he was not going to reinstate Tretina and Holston. Multiple other senators expressed their support for their expelled colleagues, with Tretina later stating to the Progress that, “It’s just a repeat of what happened in February…He’s letting his power get to his head. Most of the senate body wants me in the senate, so why is he not doing that?”
During the extended investigation, tensions were high for members of the Executive Cabinet. This is most evident during a meeting of the cabinet that took place on the evening of March 21. During open discussion, Elijah House confronted Holcomb over missing more meetings and asked if he saw anything wrong with his actions. According to the meeting minutes Holcomb responded, “If you are going to talk to me like that, then I am getting up and leaving. Maybe you should file another complaint,” at which point House attempted to respond but Holcomb had already left.
The investigation into Holcomb would conclude after three weeks. The committee of inquiry found Holcomb not guilty of all charges due to a lack of evidence, a decision that Armbrust was not pleased with. Armbrust would state in an interview with the Progress that, “there was enough evidence from the beginning. It’s been frustrating dealing with the whole thing and with Andrew for a whole year. If nothing else, it shows Matt (White) took on controversial things. That will serve him well.” This decision came on the heels of that spring’s election which saw Matt White elected as Executive Vice President, and Cari Trenita elected back into the Student Senate.
Following graduation, Armbrust served as an intern for the parliamentarian of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, during which he lived in Macedonia with a host family. He would then serve as Vice President of Operations for The Smith Island Baking Company from 2014 until 2017. After this, he would join the National Fire Sprinkler Association where he would start as a Special Projects Manager before being promoted to Director of Membership in 2020.