The Wichita State Student Senate approved the appointment of Associate Justice Vincent Duong during its Jan. 28 weekly meeting. 

Duong’s appointment was sponsored by Student Body Vice President Amy Nguyen and Student Body President Jia Wen Wang. The senate passed it through unanimous consent, meaning no senators opposed the appointment.

“Throughout the interview with Amy and I, Vincent showed exemplary professionalism and characteristics necessary of an associate justice such as intentionality, integrity, and passion,” Wang said while introducing him to the Senate.

Duong is a 1st year student and biology major who’s involved in Model UN, the Asian Student Conference and Vietnamese Student Association.

“I applied for SGA as I believe that it is one of the most direct and meaningful ways to serve the student body,” Duong said in his speech. “The Supreme Court in particular plays a truly unique role within the system that stood out to me.”

Duong also spoke about his approach to the job as a first-year student.

“While others see it (being a freshman) as a weakness, I see it as a strength,” Duong said. “I’m eager to learn from my fellow justices, to ask questions and to grow through experience.”

After Duong finished his speech, he was given further kudos from Adult Learners Senator Andrew Hatch, who motioned for unanimous consent.

“I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Vincent last semester during our Model UN classes and our conference,” Hatch said. “Things that very much stood out to me was his intelligence and work ethic and his integrity.”