Meet your candidate: Erik Fogth
Utah State University student Erik Fogth has four majors, is the lead singer in a band and participates in several on-campus organizations. On top of it all, he’s also running for student body president.
Fogth, born in Arizona and raised in Orem, is majoring in international studies, global communications, Asian studies and Chinese.
“I’m a lead singer in a folk-rock band, Squatchi. I love writing music,” Fogth said. “I love rock climbing and skiing. I used to do a lot of acting and almost came to school for acting, but I don’t do that much anymore.”
Fogth came to USU for its educational programs, and said he loves being far enough away from his family that he doesn’t see them at the grocery store, but close enough to visit them often.
He has been involved with campus life in several different ways. Fogth is a member on the government relations council, a student lobbyist, peer advisor, the vice president for Greek life recruitment, a CHaSS ambassador and works for a study abroad program.
“Everyday I was finding new opportunities because I took the initiative to find them,” Fogth said. “Through all these opportunities I grew to truly believe that Utah State has more to offer students to experience than any other school in the state.”
Fogth said his college experience led him to want to run for student body president and said his goal as president is to represent and fight for students.
“I’m the one who will not only be connected to the university but also understand students’ needs,” he said. “I’m someone who is already involved in a lot of different groups and aspects on campus. I feel like I’m the guy who is going to have an open door and be willing to listen to everything students will say.”
Fogth said he is going to seek out students’ opinions to focus on student wellness.
“I’m passionate about students feeling like their tuition is worth it for the college experience and to have communities.I want students to feel noticed, have worth in the college experience and have a community, so they can feel a part of the Aggie family” he said.
Fogth has had fun with his campaign, and connects with the student body through social media by creating TikToks, wearing creative outfits, doing dares and challenges and even getting a shout out from Bart Johnson, an actor who played Coach Bolton in “High School Musical.”
The reason behind this fun strategy is to show students that Fogth isn’t “some elusive leader.”
“I’m not university royalty, I’m a student,” he said. “I want to be able to represent the 17,000 students and be a voice. I want to show the students I’m someone they can reach out to and talk to about their issues.”
His sister-in-law Annie Fogth has known Fogth for five years, but feels like she’s known him forever.
“That kid is so great,” she said. “He’s definitely a little brother to me. We pick on each other and arm wrestle and pillow fight, play Settlers of Cataan and Dominion. I genuinely have an awesome love for Erik.”
Fogth described Erik Fogth as being “positively persuasive.”
“He naturally gets people to follow him. He gets people involved and excited about things. If there’s some sort of event and Erik is in charge, he just gets everyone excited to be a part of something because he’s excited and it’s contagious,” she said.
She said Fogth would be a great student body president because he is open, genuine and kind.
“Erik would make things fun for the student body, because he’s just fun,” she said. “If there’s one word to describe Erik, it’s fun. That’s who he is.”
Fogth’s parents, Amy and Richard, said Erik has always reached out to those who are left out and is confident in who he is and what he believes in.
Nate Fogth, Erik’s older brother, said as a child, Erik was a friend to “literally everyone.”
“It was hard to meet someone who hadn’t been positively impacted by Erik,” he said. “He was adventurous and loved outdoor activities like cross country skiing and rock climbing. He’s always been involved in school and community organizations serving and making a difference. He’s definitely fearless and dedicated.”
Kate Markham met Fogth two years ago after living in the same building freshman year.
“Something that I love about Erik is his ability to continually make valuable and genuine relationships with others while putting in the effort to make his existing relationships flourish,” Makham said. “He is continually striving to not only improve himself but lift others with him.”
Markham said Fogth would do a “phenomenal” job connecting students to the university.
“Erik’s reach is unbelievably expansive, and just continues to grow,” she said. “I know that he would be able to work with the administration and the students to make Utah State a place where everyone feels they have a place to belong.”