September 2011: Students find new president outgoing

Down-to-earth, friendly, humble, passionate and genuine – those are among the characteristics used to describe UDM President Antoine Garibaldi by students who have met him.

Garibaldi, who at his previous university reportedly learned the name of every student, has been meeting regularly with UDM students, introducing himself randomly on campus.

"He's a great guy whom I expect great things from," said Don Riggs, vice president of the Student Programming Board.

Garibaldi has surprised many with his visibility on campus.

"He's a people person," said Ester Harris, secretary of SPB. "He will just approach you and start a general conversation, asking who you are, what you want to accomplish, how you feel about the school, what have you done at school and how could he be of any assistance if ever

Brittani Bemis, president of SPB and a member of the E-Board, believes students should want to get to know the person who is running their school.

Others said Garibaldi's outgoingness would make it easier for them to voice their concerns.

"President Garibaldi will be a great fit for the university in terms of making student life better as well as making the university better as a whole," said Ray McCallum, a member of the men's basketball team.

Garibaldi will be working with SPB, the E-board and other groups to improve campus life.

"I'm excited about the changes to come," said student Malita Rutherford.

Although some may rather see change immediately, Brittani Bemis puts things in perspective,

"Before anything can be done," noted Bemis, "the president is going to have to clean up what's previously been done before moving on to the new, like Obama."