Sujean S. Lee ’03 was elected the president of the Undergraduate Council last night, pledging to continue the current council’s focus on student services.

Lee defeated council outsiders Lauren E. Bonner ’04 and Matthew H. Espy ’03 by wide margins in a race she was expected to win.

Lee’s running mate Anne M. Fernandez ’03 overcame a strong bid from popular Adams House council representative Luke R. Long ’03.

Lee is the first Asian-American to be elected to the council’s highest office and Fernandez is the first Cuban-American to win the vice presidency. The two combined to form the first successful all-female ticket since the council switched to popular elections seven years ago.

The Election Commission, which monitors council presidential elections, announced at midnight this morning that Lee recieved 1,485 votes to Bonner’s 695 after the conclusion of the three-day voting period. Espy received 283 votes.

The vice presidential race was closer, with Fernandez receiving 1,361 votes to Long’s 847. Daryk A. Pengelly ’03, who ran with Espy, garnered 255 votes.

Just under 38 percent of undergraduates cast ballots, significantly lower than last year’s 47 percent turnout.

Making It Happen

In her victory speech to a joyous crowd in Quincy House, Lee declared,

“We meant all the things we had in our platform.”

“I think that by electing us, [the students] agreed that we can make Harvard better,” she said.

Fernandez also praised Bonner and Long, saying that “they offered a different perspective.”

“We learned so much from them,” she said.

The crowd responded to Lee and Fernandez’s speech with cheers of “We love Sujean” and “We love Miami”—Fernandez’s hometown.

As the news of their victory was announced, Lee and Fernandez embraced outgoing council President Paul A. Gusmorino ’02—a gesture that reflected their campaign themes of continuity and council experience.