28 Demmer Scholars intern in Washington, D.C.
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EmailThere is no more exciting time to be in our nation's capital than in a presidential election year.
There is no more exciting time to be in our nation’s capital than in a presidential election year. This summer, a select group of students from Michigan State, Mississippi State and other universities are studying the intricacies of federal policymaking while working full-time in Washington, D.C.
Students in the Michigan State University William A. Demmer Scholars Program are paid interns at federal agencies or non-governmental organizations that focus on natural resources. Students also take a senior-level class in natural resources policy that meets one night a week and all day Saturday. The program is led by Mark Rey, executive in residence in the MSU Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
“Through these internships, the students get real-world experience, see classroom principles applied in practice, and make valuable career contacts for educational and employment opportunities in the future,” Rey said. “The course reviews and analyzes how each branch of federal government -- as well as non-governmental groups, including the media -- affects the development and implementation of federal government policy in the natural resources area.”
In the program’s eighth year, 28 students are interning at a number of high-profile agencies and groups, including the National Academy of Science Space Studies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Association of Fisheries and Wildlife Agencies, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Forest Service. This makes a total of 194 Demmer Scholars interns since the program’s inception. Thirty-eight former participants are currently employed in government and non-government natural resources positions in the Washington, D.C., area.
The 2016 William A. Demmer Scholars and their universities and hometowns are:
Michigan State University -- Loryn Baughman (Mendon, Michigan), Claire Beaudoin (Northville, Michigan), Courtney Bourgoin (Rochester, Michigan), Claire Bratzel (Wheaton, Illinois), Sara Denbo (Lindenhurst, Illinois), Lisa Dinon (Petoskey, Michigan), Shannon Fagan (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Thomas Huber (Northville, Michigan), Nolan Jahn (Dewitt, Michigan), Cecilia Jimenez (Shorewood, Illinois), Jacob Kimmel (Rochester Hills, Michigan), Joshua Knoll (Battle Creek, Michigan), Ari Kornelis (Holland, Michigan), Ryan Martini (Midland, Michigan), Jacob Minor (Mattawan, Michigan), Charles (Alex) Noffsinger (Stockbridge, Michigan), Gregory Pilchak (Brighton, Michigan) and Erin Tracy (Greenville, North Carolina).
Mississippi State University -- Queen Brown (Ocean Springs, Mississippi), Ethan Cartwright (Starkville, Mississippi), Courtney Carothers (Coffeeville, Mississippi), Kennedy Moehrs (Waterloo, Illinois), Katherine (Alesa) Taylor (Tupelo, Mississippi), Naomi Taylor (Southaven, Mississippi), Elizabeth (Betty) Thomas (Lenexa, Kansas) and Kaylee Wells (Bradenton, Florida).
University of Michigan -- Elizabeth Ladwig (Midland, Michigan).
North Carolina State University -- Jashira Torres (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico).
For more information on the William A. Demmer Scholars program, contact Mark Rey, program director, at 202-669-9902 or markrey8@aol.com.
