Three students from Texas Tech's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will be spending their fall semester working as interns in the nation's capital. Running from September through December, 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 fall interns include:

• Colton Snedecor, a senior agricultural communications major from Fredericksburg, Texas
• Stetson Bryson, a senior animal science/business major from Perrysville, Ohio (U.S. Representative Bob Gibbs, R-OH 7th District)
• Jace Browning, a senior agricultural economics major from Plainview, Texas (U.S. Representative Michael Conaway, R-TX 11th 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 students will be participating in the Texas Tech University President's Government and Public Service Internship Program. They are Darbey Havens, a junior agricultural communications major from Abernathy, Texas, (U.S. Representative Kevin Brady, R-TX 8th District) and Alexis Hill, a senior dual-degree agricultural economics and business administration major from Amarillo, Texas (U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-TX).

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

0917NM20 / Editor's Note: For additional information about the CASNR Government Intern Program, click here