From Mischief to Madam

By Kenzie McDonald

Neela began her year with the University of Utahs introduction to the Pac-12. She is seen here with the Interim President Lorris Betz at the States Pac-12 Day celebration

SALT LAKE CITY Meet Neela Pack, former President of the Associated Students of the University of Utah and a current senior who will be joining the real world this spring after graduation. Neela is known by her peers and the university community as a mischief-loving, service-oriented, leader who will dive head on into any project placed in front of her. She has always looked for every possible opportunity to get involved and get others excited about getting involved. At the age of 18, Neela began her college experience at Utah Valley University after graduating from Hillcrest High School. She had her Associates degree within one year, after which time she transferred to the University of Utah. Upon transferring, Neela joined Delta Gamma fraternity where she met some of her closest friends who would later become her running mates for ASUU President. In high school, Neela wasnt ever really involved with extracurricular activities. She loved to cause mischief and have fun. Once she started at the U, though, something

just clicked. She knew she wanted to be a voice for her fellow classmates and make a difference, says Neena Pack, Neelas twin sister. It was when she had this realization that she decided to run for President. She worked hard all year to get her campaign ready and in early spring 2011, she announced that she would be running for President as the Represent party, along with Tobin Bennion as Vice President and Jamie Mathieu as Senior Class President. They ran with the intention of creating more parking for students, collaborating for a centralized scholarship website, keeping the library open for 24 hours during finals week, and their biggest project, creating a student life center something that every other school in the Pac-12 already has. All their hard work paid off when it was announced in March that they had won, making Neela the fourth female in school history to hold the title of ASUU President. Immediately, Neela began to put everything she had into bettering the school and following through with the promises she had made during her campaign. She started her term by attending and hosting Pac-12 Day on July 1, a day that would be recognized by the state as the day the University of Utah officially joined the Pac-12. This event was a major success and hosted guests such as Congressman Jim Matheson and Mayor Ralph Becker, with whom Neela still keeps close contact with. Neela worked hard all year to fulfill all the promises she made the students. For years prior to her term, past presidents had petitioned for a student life center, but Neela took the job on with full force and made it happen. She kept in close contact with the Eccles family in hopes of getting their support in the project. She met with an architecture team to create the blueprints for the student life center. This past fall, everything came into place and the real plans started. Although Neela was no longer in office, she still worked diligently to finish what she started. In September, the Eccles family announced that they would be making a very generous donation to get the project started and that it was because of Neelas hard work and dedication. This building is going to be the social highlight of our campus. Not only will it be extremely beneficial for our personal health and wellness, but it will also be a place where new friendships will form as a result of the opportunities we will have to interact with each other, Neela says about the center she has worked so hard to make happen. This coming week will be the official groundbreaking of what will be known as the George S. Eccles Student Life Center. Neela will be speaking, as well as notable figures Spencer Eccles, Jim McFarlane, and President David Pershing, with whom she has worked closely with to see this through.

Jeni Hallgren, who served as Neelas personal assistant during her term, says, I dont doubt that Neela will go far. She can do anything she puts her mind to and I wouldnt be surprised to see her in an important government position one day. She will do great things and make a difference for all. After graduation, Neela will be taking the LSAT and be attending law school. She hopes to study securities law, patent law or contracting, as well as doing mergers and acquisitions for private equity firms. The groundbreaking will take place at the future site of the building at the base of Legacy Bridge on Friday, April 19 at 1:30 pm for those interested in attending. Media contacts for the story: Neela Pack, Former ASUU President 2011-2012: (801) 860-3988 Neena Pack: (801) 860-6610 Jeni Hallgren, Former assistant to Neela: (801) 913-5333