Presidential aspirations
As a child, Garrett Zahner wanted to be president. At Towson University, he is laying the groundwork.
When Garrett Zahner looks at today’s political climate, he takes issue with the rampant partisanship and polarization. “I would represent the full constituency not just those who vote for me. I would feel an obligation to all members of the national family,” describes Zahner, who says citizens have a responsibility to hold elected officials accountable, and vote.
Zahner, who is pursuing a dual degree in political science and economics, was recently elected president of the national fraternity Alpha Chi Rho, Phi Xi Chi Chapter, of which he is a founding father.
“ I would feel an obligation to all members of the national family. ”
He is also political director and former legislative director of the Maryland Federation of College Republicans. He helped create the federation’s platform, which was presented to 25 Republican and Democratic legislators at Maryland General Assembly Lobby Day 2020. “I love policy creation,” says Zahner. “Our platform took a pragmatic approach to noncontroversial solutions that affect all Marylanders with a focus on transportation, green taxes, energy, ethics and accountability.”
A recipient of the College of Liberal Arts Beulah M. Price Memorial Scholarship and a TU Presidential Ambassador, Zahner has participated in the Towson Model UN, which brings high school students to the TU campus to learn foreign diplomacy by strategizing, negotiating and passing legislation.
“I have so much respect for Professor Alison McCartney, who has given me great ideas and innumerable opportunities to advance my academic career,” says Zahner, who presented research papers at the 2019 Northeast Regional Honors Conference and at the 2019 Maryland Honors Conference.
Hailing from a family of TU Tigers, Zahner says, “It was my responsibility to carry on the family name at Towson.”