Erin Stringer and Erik Brydges

Meet ECOS Public Relations Co-Directors Erin Stringer and Erik Brydges.  Coming into the position only a few months ago, this dynamic duo has taken Eckerd College by storm. They’ve helped to rebrand ECOS, publicize events and elections on campus and have ultimately created a popular and effective social media outlet for our student organization. It would take no more than 5 minutes in a room with these freshmen to understand their efficiency. Their seemingly endless goals and fresh ideas are strung together with witty banter, a contagious sense of humor, unyielding professionalism and a deep love for our school. It’s no wonder this dream team was able to completely transform the relationship between ECOS and students this year; and they’ve only just begun.

 
How did you guys get involved in ECOS PR?
 
Erin: Well we were in LSDP together and Dan (Director of Student Affairs) and Lauren (ECOS President) came to talk to everyone and mentioned that there were positions within ECOS available. So we both emailed Lauren separately. And then we both sort of looked at each other and said, maybe we should just do this together since we already know how to work with each other.
 
Erik: So we ended up going to Lauren, and we had already brainstormed a ton of ideas and she really liked our enthusiasm.  It’s been a really exciting process because we’ve had to build this from the ground up.
 
What accomplishment are you the most proud of?
 
Erin: I’m going to go with Facebook. From the time we got a hold of Facebook, within the first week it (our popularity) went up.
 
Erik: I think we should both be really proud of the fact that we took an idea and went and ran with it and now we are a fully functioning PR office within ECOS. I’m personally really proud of my work on elections. I just want more participation, and that was our goal. I think just creating a general buzz about ECOS on campus has been an accomplishment as well
 
What are your goals as you continue with ECOS PR?
 
Erin: Basically, we’re still striving to get people more involved with ECOS and to have ECOS be a more accessible student government. We’ve both got some ideas for that. It’s just trying to get them implemented and getting students to know about them.
 
Erik: I want to rebrand the Executive and Legislative branches of ECOS. I think that at the moment the student body doesn’t really know who the Executive is and what they have the power to do. These are your student representatives. You voted. Start holding them accountable. But you can only hold them accountable if you know who they are and what they stand for. A really great thing that The Current did was putting the platforms online and making them accessible. I really want this incoming freshman class to know that, yeah we have half a million dollars, it’s for you. We are going to throw events, but if you want something, it’s technically your money, let us know. I want more ideas from the student body. I think we need a campus wide issue, something that every freshman class can relate to. In the sense that, “this started when I first came here.” I would like to see senate put themselves in a position where they represent the student body and the executives. And that’s where we can come in; we can say “hey, this is what the senate wants to do. Get involved.” That’s our biggest challenge, general involvement.
 
Where’s your favorite place to be on campus?
 
Erik: The waterfront, because I spend like half my time there, maybe more because I’m a varsity sailor and the advanced keelboat instructor. But I’m also really enjoying Brown Hall as well, and this sort of ECOS corridor, everyone’s so much fun.
 
Erin: My second favorite is the waterfront, but my favorite is the spot right in front of the library. I love it at sunset when there’s a beautiful reflection on the pond outside of Fox Hall.
 
If you could be stranded on an Aquaglide in Frenchmen’s Creek with anyone, who would it be?
 
Erin: My boyfriend.
 
Erik: Her boyfriend (laughs).  No, I’d probably say Tony Blair because he’s just so British. He’s like the best in the world. He’s just an awesome guy and definitely a role model in my life.

Be sure to check out the ECOS Facebook page and blog, updated by Erin and Erik!