Decision 2011: Congressional Interns Headed to D.C.

Written by Jaryn Jones

Texas Tech has named 20 students to serve as congressional interns during the Spring 2011 semester.

Students participating in the program observe government functions from an inside point-of-view and play an important role in the offices of various senators and representatives. The Office of the President at Texas Tech sponsors the internship program and provides scholarships for the students.

Texas Tech interns are selected through an extensive interview process and have the opportunity to intern at either the federal or state level.

Sarah Feitshans, a current intern from Houston, said she recognizes the amount of benefits this unique opportunity offers.

"The personal and professional relationships this internship has already offered me have been such a blessing," she said. "The experiences I have here will undoubtedly benefit me in my remaining years at Texas Tech and in my future."

Spring 2011 Washington D.C. interns include:

• Jessica Cravens, a senior public relations major from Carrollton, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson
• Betsy Eppler, a junior english major from Lubbock, working in the office of U.S. Rep Michael Burgess
• Yale Fairchild, a sophomore energy commerce major from Dallas, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling
• Sarah Feitshans, a sophomore energy commerce major from Houston, working in the office of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn
• Sean Galloway, a junior industrial engineering major from Alamogordo, N.M., working in the office of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar
• Dean Gould, a senior history major from Garland, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer
• Kolby Guthrie, a graduate student in political science from Odessa, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Pete Olson
• Adam Kelm, a senior political science major from China Spring, working in the office of U.S. Rep. John Carter
• Mackenzie Maxwell, a junior electronic media and communications major from Rockwall, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes
• Ashleigh Mayfield, a junior public relations major from Carrollton, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Kay Granger
• Judson Meeks, a mass communications graduate student from Jacksboro, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry
• Garland Ross, a junior business administration major from Houston, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Gene Green
• Amanda Schwertner, a communications studies major from Big Lake, working in the office of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson
• Rahel Tekola, a junior political science major from Richardson, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
• Atlan Wuliji, a personal financial planning graduate student from Dunedid, New Zealand, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Quico Canseco
• Morgan Farenthold, an exercise sports science major from Corpus Christi, working in the office of U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway.

Austin interns include:

• Maxie Gallardo, a senior finance and management information systems major from Albuquerque, N.M., working in the office of state Rep. Armando Walle
• Victoria Messer, a junior political science major from Canyon, working in the office of state Sen. Robert Duncan
• Madison Seymore, a junior business major from Lubbock, working in the office of state Rep. John Frullo
• Stephen Small, a junior economics major from Seminole, working in the office of state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran

Lubbock intern:

• Emily Hutchison, a junior restaurant, hotel and institutional management major from Longview, working in the office of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn

Ross Garland said his intern experience thus far has exceeded his expectations.

"Thanks to Texas Tech University, working for Congressman Gene Green, and living in Washington, D.C., this has been the best experience of my college career," he said.

Gallery

[nggallery id=97]