Caleb Jungling ‘22
Caleb Jungling ’22 has already gotten an up-close look at the political process.
The Saint John’s University political science major and Anoka (Minnesota) High School graduate has worked on six different political campaigns, serving in a number of different capacities.
One day, he hopes to run for elected office himself. It’s an ambition he said likely wouldn’t have seemed possible had scholarships not helped him afford the Saint John’s experience.
“I’m paying for college myself, so having these scholarships available was super-helpful – especially when it comes to attending a school like this,” said Jungling, who is the first member of his immediate family to attend college. “I think I can safely say it wouldn’t have been possible without them.
“And that would have been a major loss because I’d have missed out on the sense of community you find here. That’s something special that I don’t think you find at a lot of other schools.”
Jungling – who receives a President’s Scholarship, the Korbel Family Scholarship and the Wegleitner Family Scholarship - has thrived at SJU, where he is an avid participant in intramural athletics and was a member of the wrestling team his freshman year. He’s also worked in athletic media relations all three years he’s been on campus.
But politics is his biggest passion. He is currently the president of the College Republicans chapter at SJU, and he spent the summer of 2019 in Washington D.C. working in the office of Rep. Tom Emmer, the congressman in his home district.
His interest in public affairs dates back to an experience he had on the SJU campus, well before he became a student here.
“Originally, I wanted to go into psychology,” he recalls. “But during my junior year in high school, the American Legion sent out information on Boys State. I figured why not look into it. And it turned out that it was held on the Saint John’s campus.
“During the time we were here, we built a state government from the ground up. Getting experience with everything that goes into that really inspired me to take an interest in politics.
“Ultimately, the goal of politics and government is to help make people’s lives better,” he continued. “And that’s something that really appeals to me.”
Jungling had planned to spend the second semester of this school year studying abroad in Spain. But like it has for so many others, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic altered his plans.
Still, he has tried to find ways to embrace the current situation.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it – it’s been tough to have to miss out on things,” he said. “But there are a lot of people who have been suffering far worse than that. And at the end of the day, at least we’ve been able to be here on campus.
“I think everybody is just trying to do the best they can and make the most of what we are still able to do.”
Jungling said his positive attitude stems in part from the support he has received from donors and alumni at SJU.
“These scholarships are so important to students like me,” he said. “College is getting more expensive every year and the financial support helps a lot. But knowing you have donors and alumni standing behind you is a motivational factor as well.
“Knowing I have somebody betting on me really encourages me to put forth my best effort, and hopefully make them proud.”