HOME Campus Life Grad student expected to be sworn in as Watauga city council member

Grad student expected to be sworn in as Watauga city council member

Written by Ali Mustansir, The Shorthorn staff

Thursday, 07 May 2009 08:37 PM

Brandon Krausse, Public Administration graduate student, is running unopposed for Watauga City Council. (The Shorthorn: Justin Rains) The day after Brandon Krausse walks across the stage for his master’s degree in public administration, he expects to be sworn into the Watauga City Council. Krausse decided to run for city council unopposed when he saw a need for improvements in the community. To do that, he said it’s crucial the citizens are involved. He’s no stranger to a campaign. He has held several student leadership positions at the university. After Krausse received his bachelor’s from UTA in 2006, he decided to pursue a graduate degree. He said he has been active in working to better the university for the city, students and faculty. He said he was proud to be in classes taught by world-renowned professors. Krausse works under House District 94 Director Ann Morris as an intern at Rep. Diane Patrick’s, R-Arlington, office. Morris and Patrick gave Krausse advice on campaigning from their personal experience and said he is an extremely personable young man who takes time to listen to the concerns of individual groups. “He seems to inherently understand some of the strange things in politicking,” Morris said. Krausse met his wife Jessica at UTA. Their wedding colors were royal blue and white — orange wasn’t an official university color until after they married. They’re expecting their first child in December. Krausse is the son of single mother Toni Bookman, who was a missionary in Baja Mexico for eight years, where he was home-schooled through International Disciple Training Academy and graduated first in his class — of three. All three were offered scholarships to UTA. “Everything Brandon has done, he has done on his own,” Bookman said. “If you were to say anything, it is that he is a self-made man. Bookman said Krausse had many interests and said she remembered a time when he was 16 years old and spending time with his friend Paul. The boys were in his room doing chemistry experiments, which blew up. “He was always drawing plans for inventions,” Bookman said, referring to a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, “... always trying to build a better mousetrap.” Bookman said Krausse liked surfing and fishing while in Mexico. He used to try catching fish with line tied to a soda bottle, but often caught stingrays. Krausse would catch and eat other animals, like seagulls and pelicans, with his friends. Krausse’s best friend, UTA alumna Karen Jirasek, said they met when they lived in Arlington Hall and were on the Hall Council together. Jirasek is Krausse’s campaign treasurer. “Not many are as passionate or dedicated to making UTA better,” Jirasek said. “He always invites me to UTA events and tries to get other alums involved.” Jirasek said Krausse is on the opposite end of the political spectrum from her, but she would still vote for him — even if they weren’t best friends. “He doesn’t let political affiliation stop him from doing what is right,” she said. “Any one who talks to him can tell he is a good, honest, decent person.” Views: 1906 | E-mail   Be first to comment this article Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6 AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com All right reserved

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 June 2009 02:06 PM )

 

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