It was a night of transition for the Government of the Student Body at its annual inauguration Tuesday, as new senators and executives were sworn in.

Outgoing senators and executives were recognized for their service and dedication to ISU students as new student leaders took their places. There were 37 senators sworn in during the ceremony.

Vernon Wall, GSB adviser and associate dean of students, said this is the first year in his five with GSB that no senate seats were left unfilled.

President T.J. Schneider and Vice President Joe Darr gave farewell addresses to GSB members, ISU administrators and guests.

“It’s all over. Three hundred and sixty-eight days ago I was sitting here in this room about to head into office and now I’m here again looking back this time,” Schneider said. “It’s been a long year, but a good year.”

They thanked numerous people for helping them throughout the year as they served the student body.

At one point during his address, Schneider got a little choked up as he showed his appreciation to Darr for his help and friendship as vice president, by giving Darr his family’s cattle branding iron.

“It’s something that means a lot to me and my family and I want him to have it, because he’s meant a lot to me,” Schneider said.

He and Darr recognized and thanked their executive cabinet staff for the great job the pair said they’ve done this year.

As Schneider and Darr finished their addresses, Mike Banasiak and Ben Albright were sworn in as next year’s president and vice president.

“A lot of people will be missed,” said Banasiak, GSB president. “T.J., Joe, the cabinet, and the senate raised the bar that GSB is capable of. We look forward to working with the senate next year to get a lot of things done for students.”

Ben Albright, vice president, said “We have some big shoes to fill. We have some great ideas, some new ways to go about them, so I just hope people keep that in mind.”

Rick Cordaro, outgoing GSB chief of staff, awarded Heather Mitchell, outgoing Director of Academic Affairs, with an award for cabinet member of the year.

“She’s a leader among leaders,” Cordaro said.

David Leege, continuing Frederiksen Court senator and former vice speaker of the senate, was awarded senator of the year.

Robert Baptiste and Kristen Kubrik Bernhard were both awarded the Jack Trice Award for $700 to go toward helping with the cost of their education for next year. They were given the award based on their service to the students of Iowa State.

The Speaker of the Senate and Vice Speaker of the Senate positions will be appointed by a senate vote at Wednesday night’s GSB meeting.