It takes a certain kind of Husky to volunteer for the demanding and vital role of President in Michigan Tech’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG). Being that kind of Husky, Sophomore Ford Schoonover has held the title for seven months. In that time, he has been working tirelessly to improve the student experience at Tech and make a lasting impact on the link between students and faculty.
Most students may not be aware of the scope of USG involvement on campus. Under Schoonover’s administration, USG passed a $118,000 effort titled the “Omega Phi tax proposal”, which will provide vital tax-paying resources for student groups, such as nonprofit registration and back-tax assistance. Resources such as feminine hygiene products in restrooms also come from USG, stated Schoonover: “The Cycle Flow project — providing free feminine hygiene products in restrooms. We funded it with $8,000 last year, intended to last two years, but supplies ran out in eight months. We’ll continue funding it while working with Facilities and external partners to make it permanent.”
The range of responsibilities required of the USG President is broad. Formally, Schoonover spends “a minimum of 10 hours a week, but it goes upwards of 20 or 30 hours” meeting with separate bodies of government, student groups, and university faculty, such as President Koubek. Budgets, allocations, and project direction all go through him before being enacted by USG. Informally, as one of the premier undergraduate voices on campus, he is seen by faculty as the face of the undergraduate community.
A native Alaskan from the small island of Hoonah, Schoonover became entwined with Michigan Tech’s student government soon after arrival. After five months at MTU, he was appointed to a cabinet position by former President Ben Conlin, and shortly thereafter was promoted to President in March of 2024. Despite a lack of prior governmental experience, Schoonover states that his “background was in management — I was head coach at a swim school and supervised over 100 people, including coaches and instructors.” The skills he learned while managing large teams of people allowed him to rise quickly through the ranks of USG.
Schoonover spends his free time for the betterment of the campus because of his “passion for communication.” He believes that “almost all issues in the world are lack of communication or lack of means. And school has a good number of means.” Committed to ensuring resources reach the students and causes that need them most, Schoonover looks ahead to re-election in 2025, determined to continue shaping a stronger future for Michigan Tech.
Disclaimer: Ford Schoonover is the Student Life Editor for The Lode. Schoonover played no editorial role in the production of this article.
