A specially-selected group of students from Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources will be spending their spring semester working as interns in the nation's capital. Running from January through May, the college's congressional intern program affords these 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:

• Chance Mitchell, a junior animal science major from Artesia, NM (U.S. House Agricultural Committee)
• Laney Mosley, a senior agricultural and applied economics major from George West, Texas (U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington, R-TX 19th District)
• Bryce Cluff, a sophomore agricultural education major from Queen Creek, AZ (U.S. Representative Andy Biggs, R-AZ 5th District)

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.

Separately, officials reported that two CASNR alums will be participating this semester in the Texas Tech University President's Government and Public Service Internship Program. They are Reagan Langemeier (U.S. Representative Mike Conaway, R-TX 11th District) and Hannah Harken (U.S. Representative Pete Olson, R-TX 22nd District).

In 1999, university president Donald Haragan established the president's scholarship program to allow Texas Tech students to travel to Washington, D.C. to learn how federal policy is formulated in the nation's capital. The objective: Provide students who have an interest in government and public policy the opportunity to participate in public service by observing and contributing to the legislative process.

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

0117NM20 / Editor's Note: For additional information about the CASNR Government Intern Program, click here