Following an academic year in which the characters of many Student Government members were called into question, the eyes of James Hankins and Matt Walton proved that passion was not an issue for both the winners and losers of Monday and Tuesday’s Student Government elections.

Hankins and Walton, both on the losing end of the Student Senate presidential election, attempted to hold back tears in Senate Chambers Wednesday night after the Elections Commission announced Zach Adams, a senior in industrial engineering, as the landslide winner.

Adams, who until Wednesday night served as Student Senate pro tempore, said he was amazed at the results of a race that was not expected to determine a majority winner.

“I’m completely floored,” Adams said. “All three of us devoted so much time and effort to our passion of Student Government and I’m overwhelmed that there will not be a runoff.”

Walton, a junior in technology education, said the results of the election did not affect his desire to serve the University constituency.

“No number will ever dictate the passion I have for students and N.C. State,” Walton said. “I know I hold students in the highest regard and I will never let my goals die.”

Walton, who gave up a Senate seat to run for the presidency, said if Adams asked him to serve in an unfilled seat, he would.

“Student Senate will always need passionate students, and I know we can find a place to make [Hankins and Walton] effective,” Adams said. “I have a lot of respect for those two.”

Adams said he was ready to get started in his new position.

“I plan on getting a lot of sleep over the next couple days and then it’s game time,” he said. “I’ve got big plans for Student Senate dealing with real student issues without the controversy.”

The Senate presidency became a focal point at Wednesday night’s results announcement after the Elections Commission delayed the unveiling of next year’s student body president following alleged campaign violations in multiple presidential campaigns.

Results for other top Student Government positions didn’t produce the level of emotion seen from Hankins and Walton, but winners echoed Adams’ desire to begin their terms.

Lock Whiteside, victorious in the election for student body chief justice, said he wanted to initiate changes to the Judicial Branch of Student Government immediately.

“This was a great win. Out of all the races, this was the sweetest one,” Whiteside, a senior in political science, said. “First thing, we need to unite the branches of Student Government, and then I want to implement the Student Task Force in researching burden of proof.”

Lee Jackson, Whiteside’s opponent, said she was satisfied with the election results.

“Either way I would have been happy,” Jackson, a junior in material science, said. “I congratulate Lock on winning the position, and it will be interesting to see how all the elected candidates work together in building up the Judicial Branch.”

Jackson, who heads Thursday’s “State Your Integrity” lecture with Athletic Director Lee Fowler in the Senate Chambers, said she wasn’t sure if she would serve next semester.

“I’d like to continue being active, but it’s still up in the air,” she said.

The offices of student body treasurer and senior class president saw collaborations between opponents to essentially better the position altogether, according to candidates.

“Adam [Whitehouse] and I made an agreement that neither one of us wanted to go to a run-off election, so we decided that the person receiving the lesser percentage of votes would step down,” Ayo Adeyeye, a junior in English and senior class president hopeful, said. “I intend to keep my end of the agreement.”

Whitehouse said he would have done the same if he had found himself in Adeyeye’s position.

“He is a big person for upholding his end,” Whitehouse, a junior in psychology, said. “I fully respect him and look forward to working with him on the Senior Class Council.”

Whitehouse, who also maintained his seat in the Senate, said his dual role would benefit the senior class.

“Most senior class presidents in the past have held other positions,” Whitehouse said. “I think my role as Campus Community Committee chair will work to the advantage of seniors in raising the number of reserved tickets to the last home basketball and football games of the season from 20 to 30 percent.”

The student body treasurer election, won by Adam Compton, a sophomore in construction engineering, saw a similar amicable relationship in which Compton and opponent Anita Sivakumar agreed to the winner offering the loser a position in the treasury.

“I’m excited that I won. Now it’s time to get on appropriations and get the package revised,” Compton said. “I’m excited to work with Anita and Seneca [Toms]. We will have experience coming back to the treasury.”