Being part of something he believes in has always been important to Gray Brooks ’07. When a student at PC, he was involved with PC Democrats, Peter Hobbie’s Discussion Group, The Blue Stocking, and Senate.

“Professors taught us how to support issues we believe in,” Brooks said.

Many of those issues have been political in nature. Four years ago Brooks volunteered on Howard Dean’s campaign team, working on the campaign website in Vermont. Later he was hired as part of the campaign staff and worked “in the field” in the mid-West. A couple of years later, Brooks helped with fundraising efforts for Oklahoman Kalyn Free’s bid for Congress.

When he heard in December ’06 that Barack Obama may run for president, Brooks saw it as another opportunity to be a part of something he believes in. Brooks got his chance when a co-worker on the Dean campaign hired him for Obama for America. In January ’07 Brooks began working on Obama’s exploratory committee from his dorm room.

The day after graduation, four months later, Brooks drove to Chicago and began working in the new media department on Obama’s campaign. Brooks is the New Media Ombudsman. He helps build and maintain the campaign website and makes sure it’s productive. He also recruits and manages volunteers and interns.

“We all have things we care about,” Brooks said. “My work is not disconnected from my life.”

Being inspired by professors to support issues he believes in is one way PC has prepared him for life after graduation. The history major from Birmingham, AL also strongly believes in liberal arts education: he sees history, for example, as “case studies of how people react in certain situations.” Further, Brooks said his college years were a time when he learned patience and also matured.

“PC definitely prepared me,” Brooks said. “The whole package, not just the classroom.”

posted by Stacy Dyer '96

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