UPIKE students travel to Washington Center
0Written by R.J. Gordon
It’s rare for people to get an opportunity to see the White House. Even fewer people get to say that they share a city with the others such as the President and the Congress for an extended period of time. Every year, UPIKE along with other universities give students this opportunity by way of The Washington Center.
The Washington Center provides academic seminars and semester-long internship programs. These programs provide a platform for students to gain classroom knowledge, along with real-world experience in their respective fields. Along with the academic course and the internship, The Washington Center also provides a chance at participation in the LEAD Colloquium, an organized collection of activities that maximizes student experiences and challenges viewpoints while introducing new ways of thinking. The Washington Center can change lives and beliefs.
Blake Medley, junior, represented UPIKE at an academic seminar and wants to do an internship program next year.
“The Washington Center changed my views on a lot of things. It really changed how I looked at the importance of voting. It even made me decide to change my major. I absolutely loved it. The experience was awesome. It was a great resume builder as well. I even got to meet some celebrities in DC, such as Chris Matthews from the show Hardball on MSNBC,” said Medley.
Students that get involved in the internship program have amazing opportunities to be professional and work in real-world settings. Haley Johnson, senior, had the opportunity to spend a semester in DC, and she was attended congressional meetings and hear from a variety of speakers, including chiefs of staff for Bill Clinton, Laura Bush, and Ronald Reagan.
“I feel more confident in my abilities as a college student preparing for my future,” said Johnson.
Nancy Cade, professor of history and political science at UPIKE, has served as the liaison between UPIKE and The Washington Center’s programs since 2000. Cade has been a part of 21 seminars and is responsible for selecting students that go to The Washington Center.
“Nothing compares to hearing people (experts) speak first hand. Tim Pawlenty is a man who ran for President, so it is a great experience to hear somebody who has actually gone through that process. We also get to hear from chairmen of political parties and other experts. I encourage students to take an interest in the inauguration, there will be a seminar during that time,” said Cade.
This program provides rare opportunities and the chance to hear a Presidential Inauguration first hand would be incredible.