Fresh Success: Hard-working law student and father of four

Caleb Rannow ’12 is a philosopher, student and father.

Caleb Rannow ’12 received a degree from St. Cloud State and made an important decision to go to law school, all while raising a family.

Rannow graduated from St. Cloud State with a major in interdisciplinary philosophy and a minor in English. He became interested in philosophy while taking some classes at a two-year community college. Ever since then, he was hooked on the ideas of philosophical thinking.

“The philosophy department at SCSU taught me how to think,” Rannow said.

After much contemplation after undergraduate school, Rannow decided to pursue another goal of his — a graduate law degree.

He now studies at the William Mitchell College of Law with hopes of completing a Juris Doctor degree to become an attorney.

The skills Rannow gained while learning philosophy at St. Cloud State will help him in law school and in his future career.

“I learned how to write and design philosophical arguments at SCSU and I am learning practical skills at law school. The two studies complement each other,” Rannow stated. “Lawyers need to know how to read and write so these skills will help.”

In fall 2013 Rannow worked as a law clerk for Gavin Law Office. There, he was able to assist with case research until he was recommended to work for Judge Tom McCarthy in Sibley County last May.

“Working for a judge is an awesome experience. I do everything from research to correspondence and most importantly draft orders and opinions for the Judges review,” Rannow mentioned.

Rannow expects to graduate from the William Mitchell College of Law in spring 2015. He then wants to work for a small law firm outside the cities.

Outside of school and work, Rannow is a full-time father of four. He is busy at home raising daughters’ ages twelve, eight and four and is expecting another to arrive in October. Time management and responsibility are two talents that help Rannow balance his activities. Well, that and coffee…

“I think I purchased many small countries with the amount of coffee I bought,” Rannow joked. “But realistically, I have a very supportive wife who helps me deal with distractions, after all, I’m going to school for my family.”