Two Minutes

Living leadership

Junior political science major Greta Johnson wasn't idle when the governor's office called to invite her to serve as the lone student representative on the state's Board of Regents. Director of government relations for ISU's Government of the Student Body. Vice president of operations for her sorority. Oboe player in ISU's top concert band. Student intern at the Catt Center for Women and Politics. Organizational roles in Veishea and the Dance Marathon philanthropy. But Johnson made a few tough decisions about that dance card and cleared some room to become a regent.

The ultimate meeting: The regents meet for a day and a half every six to seven weeks. Imagine the required reading prior to such a gathering. Johnson isn't deterred. "I'm sitting at a table with very accomplished people with remarkable careers. This is an opportunity you can't pass up."

1 among 70,325: How does one speak for so many? With friends at all three state universities, familiarity with their student leaders and far-ranging involvement at Iowa State, Johnson is grateful for "the good perspective I bring to this."

Grounded: When Johnson catches up on the phone with her mom in LeMars, she'll frequently hear something like, "You are still going to class, right?"

-- Anne Krapfl