By Caitlin Scuderi
Special for The State News
Being from a small town hasn't stopped Ian Mattoon from setting big goals.
From high school debate to joining MSU College Republicans, Mattoon keeps setting his political goals higher.
Now he's running for co-chairman of the Michigan Federation of College Republicans, or MFCR, a statewide group supporting college Republicans.
"I wanted to do something bigger," said the international relations sophomore. "It's something I sought out myself."
If Mattoon is elected on Feb. 4, he would be responsible for maintaining and organizing fundraisers for the upcoming gubernatorial election, as well as recruiting and informing interested people, he said.
He's running with Dave Drwencke, a junior at Albion College.
"Dave and I worked on our platform together," Mattoon said. "The most important part of it is our idea of networking and communicating. It's an important concept when you're on the state level because you get to a point where chapters could benefit from each others' ideas."
Another benefit would be establishing more volunteers across the state, Mattoon said.
The duo is running against Dan Carlson of Ave Maria Law School in Ann Arbor and Derek Moss of Eastern Michigan University.
On top of running for the position, Mattoon spends most mornings at the MSU men's crew team practices. He also is a member of ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, on the Olin Health Advisory Panel and involved in Campus Crusade for Christ.
Mattoon is from Wayland, a small town near Grand Rapids with a population of less than 4,000. He grew up going to church, which is where he gained most of his conservative ideals, he said.
High school was a typical experience for him, he said. Mattoon did well in classes and was a member of the debate team for four years. During his freshman year at college, he got involved with MSU College Republicans. After spending a summer interning in Lansing under state Rep. Rick Jones, R-Oneida Township, Mattoon said he realized he wanted to get more involved in his party.
Mattoon said he wants to give Republicans a new face in the college setting — showing them as younger and more accepting — so others aren't afraid to join.
He said he has an ability to talk to anyone as if he or she is his equal and he wants people to understand where he's coming from and where he's heading.
Stephen Purchase, the active president of MSU College Democrats, said he understands Mattoon's progression toward MFCR.
"When you're heavily involved on the campus level, it's almost an obligation to want to be involved on the state level," he said.
Friend and resident mentor Jenny Gallo said Mattoon is a "great guy."
"He's always in a good mood. You can just tell he's a really genuine guy," said the chemistry junior.
