VISUALS: Lucas comes out on top at high-emotion election party

Jacob Sebastian, Staff Photographer

April 15, 2026

Jacob Sebastian

Newly appointed President of the Student Government Association Caden Lucas, middle, discusses his team’s victory with his fellow newly appointed runningmates Vice President Jakob Barker, left, and Chief Financial Officer Will Derryberry at the Student Government Association’s spring election in the SGA chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Student Government Association Presidential candidate Jaden Marshall waits to hear senator election results during the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Jacob Sebastian)

Student Government Association Presidential candidate Jaden Marshall crosses his fingers while waiting for the final election results during the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Marshall’s opponent Caden Lucas and his cabinet members went on to win the election. (Jacob Sebastian)

Newly appointed Student Government Association President Caden Lucas hugs Senator at Large Veronica Butler after his win during the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Caden Lucas finishes a hug with his father Jeffery after being appointed the new President of the Student Government Association at the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Lucas’s parents spent the day in Bowling Green without his knowledge to surprise him after the election concluded. “We were overwhelmed. There are no limits to that man,” Jefferey said about his son. “He is by far the most ambitious man you’d know.” (Jacob Sebastian)

A supporter of Jaden Marshall and his cabinet hugs Marshall after his loss to opponent Caden Lucas in the Student Government Association spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Jacob Sebastian)

Student Government Association Presidential candidate Jaden Marshall congratulates opponent Caden Lucas after Lucas’s win at the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Marshall emphasized the importance of the work for the student body lying ahead for Lucas and his cabinet. (Jacob Sebastian)

Student Government Association Presidential candidate Jaden Marshall talks to Associate Director of Student Activities – Greek Life Andrew Rash after his loss to Caden Lucas at the Student Government Association’s spring election in the SGA chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Jacob Sebastian)

Susan Lucas, mother to newly appointed Student Government Association President Caden Lucas, hugs the new SGA Vice President Jakob Barker after her son’s win at the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. “I guess I should call you my son now,” she happily yelled. (Jacob Sebastian)

Previous Student Government Association President Rush Robinson congratulates newly appointed President Caden Lucas after his victory in the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. “Congratulations brother, the easy part is over, now the hard part is left,” said Robinson. (Jacob Sebastian)

WKU’s newly appointed Student Government Association executive branch members from left: Vice President Jakob Barker, President Caden Lucas, and Chief Financial Officer Will Derryberry after the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Jacob Sebastian)

Student Government Association Presidential candidate Jaden Marshall becomes emotional while talking to his family members over a FaceTime call during the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. “We want this so bad. We want this so, so, so bad,” Marshall said. Marshall’s opponent Caden Lucas and his cabinet members went on to win the election. (Jacob Sebastian)

Director of Student Activities – Organization and leadership Dr. Charley Pride sits in the back of the senate chambers waiting for students to clear out after the conclusion of the SGA spring election in the senate chambers on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Jacob Sebastian)