Christian Ragland has been a president since middle school.
Now, the University Park Undergraduate Association Student Life and Diversity Chairman is poised to assume the position again, running for the top job in student government.
"He tries not to put himself in or allow anybody else to put him in a category -- I admire him blazing his own trail in leadership," said Kevin Ragland, his father. "It's not just a project to him. It's a lifelong commitment of answering the mandate of his own passions to help society."
After serving as student council president in middle school, Ragland (junior-political science) went on to become a four-year class president in high school, where his friend Roberto Maldonado said he was "one of those guys everyone loved."
"He's always been very driven for success, and he's just a great guy -- no ifs, ands or buts," Maldonado said.
Ragland himself is quick to say the foundation for his pursuit of leadership lies in his tightly knit family and the strong spiritual roots of his upbringing. Growing up in Egg Harbor City, N.J., Ragland was heavily involved in youth ministry activities -- volunteering at summer camps, feeding the homeless and serving as a mentor to underprivileged young men.
"These were experiences which required me to put myself aside and do something for someone else ... to take the initiative to fight for somebody else who cant fight for themselves," Ragland said.
Ragland's more than 4,000-word platform reflects this ambition. Main initiatives include strengthening campus safety services and on-campus lighting, creating a non-voting student seat on the State College Borough Council and improving sportsmanship and attendance at less-popular athletic events.
His running mate, current UPUA Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Colleen Smith (sophomore-biology), said the two hope to bring the student government back to the student body.
The campaign also aims to unite Penn State with other Pennsylvania schools to form a student coalition, which could appeal to state and national legislatures for lower tuition. After three years at Penn State, Ragland said he's eager to continue the path of leadership he took when he began his political career.
"I have one year left at Penn State, and I was molded to be a great leader at this university through UPUA," he said. "I think I'm in the right direction to really lead this university to unite around common causes."
