Editor's Note: The Post would like to introduce you to the first weekly series about students who have done something noteworthy at OU. The Extra Credit will run each Wednesday and features students involved on all levels of university life. So, get to know your neighbors and if you know of someone who might have an interesting story to tell, please let us know.

Erik Roush insists he is having fun.

The treasurer of Student Senate, the Center for Student Advocacy and the Student Affairs Commission works more than 40 hours in the Student Senate Baker Center offices while holding 17 hours in the Honors Tutorial College. A typical visit to the senate office finds Roush juggling numerous phone calls, making appointments and pouring over meeting agendas.

John Liston/THE POST

Junior Erik Roush is senate superman as he juggles ringing phones and meeting agendas with homework and classes.

But, he is having fun.

"You have to just keep working," Roush said. "If you're in it just for the glory, you're in it for the wrong reason. This is fun for me."

The junior pre-law/public administration major from Englewood, Ohio, would know how to balance work and pleasure. Roush makes it a habit to become involved and informed.

"I am overwhelmed every day of my life," he said.

With a recent appointment as the student trustee on the OU Board of Trustees, Roush's list of involvement continues to grow. Gov. George V. Voinovich recently appointed Roush to represent the student body on the OU Board of Trustees as a two-year, non-voting member.

Roush said the connection between Student Senate, OU's undergraduate student government, and the Board of Trustees will benefit students. Responsibility to students seems high on the aspiring lawyer and politicianŐs list of priorities.

"I have a duty; I was elected," he said. "(The students) elected me and I'm going to do the work."

Involved with senate since freshman year, Roush has acted as representative for the Honors Tutorial College, University Life Commissioner and on several senate committees. His spring election as senate treasurer makes him an executive for student government, but the political bug bit Roush before he was a Bobcat.

"I always enjoyed studying politics," he said. His involvement in high school with Buckeye Boys State, a program sponsored by local American Legion chapters, deepened his interest in local government.

This interest reflects in Roush's involvement with the Democratic party and local campaigns. This summer, the future law student was a clerk at Kinney & Baker law firm in Dayton, working mainly on bankruptcy and probate cases.

"I like being able to get things done," he said.

Roush has learned first-hand how to squeeze his work into one day. Maintenance workers at Baker Center have found Roush in the fourth floor offices after midnight, trying to accomplish one final task, he said.

The University of Michigan, Georgetown University or Ohio State may see Roush for law school, but for now he said he is dedicated to OU and to the students that voted him into office.

"It's all a matter of giving something back,"Roush said. "I just get up everyday and know that I've got stuff to do,"he said. "I admire these people that get out there and meet with their constitutes."

After hours of answering telephone calls about housing and senate, balancing budgets and meeting with senate executive officers, Roush said his motivation is simple.

"I try to remember the phrase 'it is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow'," Roush said.