SJU graduate who set Obama’s schedule to speak at alma mater

For eight years, Saint John’s University graduate Chase Cushman helped set the schedule for President Barack Obama.

These days, Cushman is setting up his own schedule. And on Monday, April 3, Cushman has scheduled a late afternoon appointment at his alma mater.

Cushman, a 2006 magna cum laude graduate of SJU with a degree in political science, takes part in the “Politics and A Pint” conversation series at 4:15 p.m. at Brother Willie’s Pub, Sexton Commons, SJU. The event is free and open to the public.

He will be interviewed by Claire Haeg, associate professor of political science at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, about his time in the White House. Audience members will also be able to submit questions.

Cushman, a native of Monticello, Minnesota, served a number of roles in the White House for Obama, including associate director of scheduling; senior scheduler; deputy director of scheduling; deputy assistant to the President and director of scheduling; and assistant to the President and director of scheduling and advance.

He told the Monticello Times newspaper in 2012 that his job was similar to putting together a puzzle. Cushman and other scheduling co-workers were charged with making sure all aspects of Obama’s schedule were talking with each other — the Secret Service, military and all of the individuals or organizations Obama planned to meet with.

“We make sure all aspects of the White House are talking to each other … like air traffic controllers, more than anything else,” he said at the time.

Cushman began his political career not long after graduation when he worked for the Patty Wetterling Congressional campaign (Wetterling lost the election to Michele Bachmann).

In 2007, Cushman started volunteering for the Obama campaign, which eventually turned into a full-time job. After Obama defeated Sen. John McCain in the 2008 election, Cushman was hired to work as a White House official with Obama’s scheduling.

“Politics and a Pint,” sponsored by the Eugene McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, features informal discussions on issues related to public policy and politics.

Free pizza and refreshments will be available at the event. Adult beverages will be available for those 21 years of age and older.