Posted 10:43 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014
UW-L senior Joshua Gran is the youngest mayor in Caledonia, Minnesota, history and possibly the youngest mayor to hold office in the state.
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UW-L senior Joshua Gran is a mentor for UW-L’s award-winning It Makes Cents! financial literacy program. He is an economics and finance major.[/caption]UW-L senior Joshua Gran is the youngest mayor in Caledonia, Minnesota, history and possibly the youngest mayor to hold office in the state. Gran, who turned 21 in August, was elected mayor of his hometown, November 4. He begins the job Jan. 1, 2015.
“I love my hometown,” he says. “It’s where I grew up and I want to make sure it keeps moving in the right direction.”
As a university student, Gran says he and other students have opportunities and resources not everyone enjoys. “With all the things we have, we’re not required to serve, but it’s something we should want to do,” he says.
Gran says he can provide the change of pace his hometown needs. A college education with majors in economics and finance will help, he adds. Associate Professor of Economics John Nunley’s classes opened his eyes to how spending and government programs can have a positive or negative effect on citizens, he says.
Gran also brings leadership experience from his days as quarterback on the Caledonia High School football team, which went 14-0 and won the state championship his senior year. Because of a sports injury, Gran only played football at UW-L his freshman year. He is now the assistant coach for quarterbacks.
“Being quarterback definitely helps with leadership,” he says. “Everyone looks to the quarterback when things get rough, so you need to respond in a way that lets the team know everything is okay.”
A group of former high school football teammates and UW-L’s Head Football Coach Joel Dettwiler and Assistant Coach Reed Hoskins were some of his biggest supporters in his decision to run for mayor.
Gran made the decision after the former mayor said he didn’t plan to run again. Fortunately for Gran, no one else turned in the necessary paperwork on time, so his name was the only one to appear on the ballot. However, a write-in candidate launched a campaign against him. Gran ended up winning the election with 65 percent of the vote.
Spring semester, Gran plans to juggle schoolwork and management of a small city. He’s thankful to have the help of a city administrator and a schedule that can accommodate both responsibilities. “Thankfully a lot this job happens after classes — in the evenings,” he says.
Gran would eventually like to run for statewide or U.S. office.
UW-L senior Joshua Gran is a mentor for UW-L’s award-winning It Makes Cents! financial literacy program. He is an economics and finance major.[/caption]UW-L senior Joshua Gran is the youngest mayor in Caledonia, Minnesota, history and possibly the youngest mayor to hold office in the state. Gran, who turned 21 in August, was elected mayor of his hometown, November 4. He begins the job Jan. 1, 2015.
“I love my hometown,” he says. “It’s where I grew up and I want to make sure it keeps moving in the right direction.”
As a university student, Gran says he and other students have opportunities and resources not everyone enjoys. “With all the things we have, we’re not required to serve, but it’s something we should want to do,” he says.
Gran says he can provide the change of pace his hometown needs. A college education with majors in economics and finance will help, he adds. Associate Professor of Economics John Nunley’s classes opened his eyes to how spending and government programs can have a positive or negative effect on citizens, he says.
Gran also brings leadership experience from his days as quarterback on the Caledonia High School football team, which went 14-0 and won the state championship his senior year. Because of a sports injury, Gran only played football at UW-L his freshman year. He is now the assistant coach for quarterbacks.
“Being quarterback definitely helps with leadership,” he says. “Everyone looks to the quarterback when things get rough, so you need to respond in a way that lets the team know everything is okay.”
A group of former high school football teammates and UW-L’s Head Football Coach Joel Dettwiler and Assistant Coach Reed Hoskins were some of his biggest supporters in his decision to run for mayor.
Gran made the decision after the former mayor said he didn’t plan to run again. Fortunately for Gran, no one else turned in the necessary paperwork on time, so his name was the only one to appear on the ballot. However, a write-in candidate launched a campaign against him. Gran ended up winning the election with 65 percent of the vote.
Spring semester, Gran plans to juggle schoolwork and management of a small city. He’s thankful to have the help of a city administrator and a schedule that can accommodate both responsibilities. “Thankfully a lot this job happens after classes — in the evenings,” he says.
Gran would eventually like to run for statewide or U.S. office.