Six students from Texas Tech's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will be spending their spring semester working as interns in the state and nation's capitals. Running from January through May, the college's congressional intern program affords selected students an opportunity to experience first-hand the government's day-to-day operations.

"Intern selections are always an exciting and difficult process," said Cindy Akers, CASNR's Associate Dean for Academic and Student Programs. "The program is one of the most unique student programs that the college has for CASNR students."

This year's CASNR Washington spring interns include:

• Eric Jordan Bell, a senior agricultural and applied economics/general business major from Killeen, Texas (U.S. Representative Michael Conaway, R-TX 11th District)
• Bailee Busher, a senior agricultural and applied economics major from Winters, Texas (U.S. Representative Michael Conaway, R-TX 11th District)
• William Raftis, a junior agribusiness major from Springfield, Illinois (U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington, R-TX 19th District)

CASNR spring interns based in Austin include:

• Hayley Bates, a senior agricultural and applied economics major from Leakey, Texas (Texas Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction-53rd District)
• Kloe Burris, a graduate student focusing on agricultural and applied economics (Masters of Agribusiness) from Poteet, Texas (Texas Speaker of the House Office)
• Leah Curren, a graduate student focusing on agricultural communications from Girard, Texas (Texas Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs)

CASNR interns live in the 'Tech House' during their stay in Washington D.C., which is located just over a block away from the Capitol Building. Their living expenses are offset through scholarships from generous donors, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Texas Corn Producers Board, Plains Cotton Growers, Texas Corn Growers, Texas Peanut Producers, Dan Taylor, Texas Farm Bureau, and South Texas Cotton and Grain, as well as others.

CONTACT: Cindy Akers, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or cindy.akers@ttu.edu

0201NM19 / Editor's Note: For additional information about the CASNR Government Intern Program, click here