Where We've Come From

Bittersweet Beginnings

This bittersweet story begins with heartache, yet ends in a commemorative triumph. Driving Jacks was created in October of 2004, as a sub-committee of Student Government Association. This was in response to the untimely death of friend, and fellow SGA member, Amy Shields. Amy was killed on Highway 59 North, just outside of Nacogdoches, Texas by a drunk driver on October 17, 2004. While the event was tragic, it motivated students to a noble cause which Amy had once passionately advocated, the creation of a student-run designated driver program. Soon after her death, 3 members of SGA, Doug Carpenter, Brittany Scott, and Jacqui Garrick avidly dedicated themselves to research and the creation of new sub-committee devoted to this cause.

The organization would be called Driving Jacks.

Where We're Going

Our Future's So Bright We Gotta Wear Shades

Stephen F. Austin State University's Driving Jacks first started operations in January 25, 2007 under the steadfast leadership of Stephanie Sullivan (President), Krista Swolley (Vice President), and Jonathan Gholson (Risk Management). These three individuals took the original dream and led it into reality. While each member surely contributes to the overall success and operations of the organization, their persistence undoubtedly helped establish Driving Jacks. Driving Jacks grew to 90 members in the spring of 2008 and gave an average of 75 safe rides home per weekend under the leadership of President Matt Bodin and Vice President Hector Pineda. Currently, Driving Jacks has grown to 120 active members and gives an average of 110 rides per weekend under the leadership of President Clarissa Ensenberger and Vice President Brittany Minchew.

We will continue to be all that we can possibly to honor Amy's memory, sacrifice, and operate with the constant reminder that because of her we exist and will continue to do what we do for her.