One of three students from this year's graduating class will have the opportunity to continue influencing the Vanderbilt community for another four years.

Seniors Joseph Williams, Lauren Page Black and Ayo Ositelu are this year's nominees for Young Alumni Trustee.

Potential YATs are nominated by their peers. A nomination committee comprised of members from the classes immediately above and below the graduating class narrowed down the nominees to three finalists on Saturday. All three classes elect the winner.

The finalists expressed they were honored to be nominated.

"I am very thankful and excited to learn that I have been nominated amongst my peers," Ositelu said. "A special thanks to the person who submitted my name for this selection."

"I couldn't be more flattered to be nominated for Young Alumni Trustee," Williams said.

"My work as (Vanderbilt Student Government) president and working with various YATs over the past several years has shown me how the student voice can be heard loud and clear by the various stakeholders at Vanderbilt, from the chancellor to the Board of Trust."

YATs serve on the Board of Trust for a four-year term. They are required to attend the two board meetings each year and rotate through all of the committees throughout the term.

"I look forward to learning more about the full slate of responsibilities for Young Alumni Trustees," Ositelu said.

The tradition of electing YATs began in 1968 and has continued to allow recent students to share their perspective with other distinguished members of the Board of Trust.

"Ultimately, the YAT needs to make sure the Board understands the Vanderbilt student today," Williams said. "I think the Board of Trust can always better understand how their decisions affect the day-to-day life of the Vanderbilt undergraduate."