David Branum, At Large Senator and Advocate for Veteran Student Services

David Branum got started with SGA after receiving an outreach communication from the Veteran’s Resource Center’s Coordinator. The position was looking for an at-large senator for SGA to advocate on behalf of Veterans and David knew he was the right man for the job. David took the call to action and saw the position as an exciting opportunity to not only gain experience within his major’s domain, Political Science, but represent a group on campus which holds significance for him.

As a veteran of 8 years in the US Navy, David believes he had much “to offer the younger generation in terms of achieving goals and helping them mold into better leaders.” The dedicated proponent of Veterans on UT’s campus did just that, helping bring about such legislation as Purple Heart Parking for Combat Wounded Veterans, allowing Purple Heart recipients the ability to park in any unreserved campus spot, and the Prisoner of War / Missing in Action (POW/MIA) seat in Neyland which is used to recognize veterans.

David recognizes SGA as an invaluable tool for student representation as well as leadership development, going as far as to say that “SGA has served me so much I can’t even begin to think that it could do any more for me”. As a non-traditional student at the University of Tennessee, David has brought a different perspective and diversity of ideas to Student Government. His perspective and leadership have provided momentous impact for many, not only within student government but
throughout UT’s campus.

David has seen many leaders develop throughout his time in the US Navy, and when asked about his time with SGA he said “It has been an honor working with the people of SGA and I look forward to seeing the future leaders that they become.”