 "Photo: Photo illustration by Chelsy Lueth")
Most days, as Joel Groninga walks around campus picking up trash, he is unnoticed. At 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with blond hair and blue eyes, Groninga seamlessly blends into the student body, donning multiple layers of clothing to stay warm.
After graduating from K-State, Groninga worked in the Department of Housing and Dining Services, and after two years moved to his current position in the Division of Facilities, where he has been for the last six years. As a child, Groninga did not dream of working on the grounds crew of K-State, and inside the ear buds of his MP3 player is the link to his dreams. Groninga spends each day listening to political books on tape or podcasts, and he admits to being a political junkie for the last 20 years.
HISTORICAL SURROUNDINGS
As a native of Abilene, Kan., awareness of political history is inescapable, Groninga said. He has read more books than he can remember, and he is often found in intense discussions about a wide range of political topics. It was at a centennial birthday celebration for former President Eisenhower that this seed was planted.
“Right when I turned 13, I just started reading every book that I could read about presidents, or politicians or people associated with presidents,” Groninga said. “Then I started actually writing them and asking them why they got involved with public service.”
Through his adolescent letter-writing campaign, Groninga began receiving autographs and correspondence from some of America’s highest public officials. While most preteens in Abilene were playing sports or video games, Groninga was following Senate committee chairs and studying political science.
“Our library at home started bursting at the seams with political books,” said Janet Groninga, Joel’s mom.
GROWING UP WITH A HEALTHY ADDICTION
In 1991, Joel, his father, Steve, and his terminally ill grandfather, Bud, took a trip to the nation’s capital — a move that would seal the fate of Joel’s political addiction.
“Steve and Joel managed to push Grandpa Bud in a wheelchair to the Senate visitor gallery to be recognized as special visitors from Kansas,” Janet said.
The three not only met Bob Dole, but were also given a private tour of the Senate. An intern took them through the underground tunnel from the center office straight to the capital.
“My [teen] memories are mostly of reading books on politics,” he said. “You could say I was different from most kids in a sense that, yeah, I liked sports and wanted to be good at sports, but when it all came down to it, I really enjoyed politics, and I think every kid needs something they enjoy.”
He attended Washburn University and focused on political studies.
“We encouraged Joel to look at business or psychology, but his interest was political science,” Janet said. “Joel lived and breathed politics as a young adult.”
Groninga said his freshman year left him burnt out and missing his family, so he decided to move closer to his family and transferred to K-State. Joel graduated in December of 2001, a few short months after the Sept. 11 attacks shook the nation.
“When that attack happened, it did so much damage to the economy,” he said. “That’s almost the equivalent of what these graduates of K-State are going through now — I couldn’t find a job. I started applying for everything.”
After working for Facilities during his years as a student, Groninga found it an easy transition to work on campus full-time.
WORKING IN HIS DREAM FIELD
Making the jump into a political science career has proven to be a problem for Groninga. Despite what seems to be an endless knowledge across the political spectrum, Groninga said political jobs are rooted in connections and niches. He received a degree before political internships were a requirement for graduation, and he did not have the opportunity to meet people in the field, working for a congressman or state legislature.
“Most people that want to go into politics have to figure out, are they the people behind the scenes helping someone get elected, or ‘Am I the person who’s the politician that is going to go out there and deal with the public?’” Groninga said.
Happy to be behind the scenes, Groninga did get some experience, during winter 2000, when he and his best friend, Jack Martin, went to Iowa to work for former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley’s presidential campaign. Groninga said his role there was to do whatever the campaign needed and support his best friend.
“To be a political operative you have to have a niche and the thing about Jack Martin was that he understood communications and rapid response,” Groninga said.
Martin, who has been a staff member on three political campaigns and works for the University of Kansas, agreed.
“Most people in politics aren’t generalists,” Martin said.
Martin said he thinks Groninga would best find his niche working in the field.
“Field work is tough because it involves meeting all sorts of people, going door-to-door and so on,” he said. “But Joel has the sort of outgoing personality that makes that work much easier.”
However, with no specific niche to offer a political campaign — in his opinion — Groninga looked for a stable job, benefits and a location close to his family.
During summer 2003, Groninga interned with the Kansas Democratic Party and in 2004 he volunteered for Rep. Nancy Boyda’s campaign working a bit in the field. There, Groninga said he got experience on how to campaign. He made calls, passed out flyers and worked more closely with the permanent staffers than in previous campaign endeavors.
MOVING FORWARD
Looking around the crowded coffee shop, Groninga said he keeps working hard and hopes that one lucky break will come his way. One such break almost came his way this past summer. He was offered a job last July to work on a campaign in Pennsylvania.
“The older you get, you start to get more responsible, and there’s this thing called money,” Groninga said laughing. “So I said, financially, I just can’t take a big risk. If Congress had passed portable health care a couple years ago, I would’ve been gone to work on that campaign.”
While professors and friends urged him to consider the job, Joel agreed with his family that it was not a stable enough opportunity.
Janet said the family was really excited for Groninga but disappointed the organization didn’t offer a living wage, benefits or health insurance.
“It was very unfortunate that the financial side of it just didn’t work out, but at the end of the day you have to pay your bills, so I understand why he made the decision he did,” Martin said.
Groninga has stayed in Kansas, continuing to work for grounds and listening to his political podcasts. However, he remains optimistic about his future. Groninga continues to work hard, keep his eyes open for new opportunities, and — as always — nurses his addiction.
“Joel has a passion for politics, stays informed, researches pros and cons on issues,” Janet said. “Joel loves the political process, is honest, trustworthy, loyal and a hard worker.”
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