April 9, 2002

Contact: Burdett Loomis, Political Science, (785) 864-9033.

KU students earn credit as legislative interns in Topeka

LAWRENCE -- Twenty-one University of Kansas undergraduates are earning credit this semester working as interns for legislators in Topeka. KU sophomores, juniors and seniors intern through the Robert J. Dole Internship Program in Topeka, established in the 1960s to give students a chance to work with Kansas lawmakers and service agencies.

Burdett Loomis, KU professor of political science, and Bill Wolff, assistant director of the Legislative Research Department in Topeka, head the program. Interns participate in various activities, such as monitoring committee meetings and writing to constituents. They receive three to nine hours of credit, spend at least two days a week in Topeka and participate in a weekly seminar taught by Wolff and Loomis.

Speakers who have visited the seminar include Reps. Troy Findley, D-Lawrence, and Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, who spoke on redistricting; statehouse reporters Martin Hawver and Jim McLean; and House Majority Leader Shari Weber, R-Herington.

Below are the KU students' names, their year and major (if declared), parents' names, home address and place of internship. All internships are in Topeka.

BARTON COUNTY
From Great Bend
Alyson Sprague, junior in news and information, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Sprague, 3401 Forest Ave.; Rep. Judith Loganbill, D-Wichita, and Rep. Sue Storm, D-Overland Park.

HARPER COUNTY
From Anthony
Trisha Ruiz, junior in political science and social work, daughter of Kathleen Neu, 820 E. Steadman; Rep. Doug Patterson, R-Leawood, and Rep. Judy Morrison, R-Shawnee.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa
Andrew Bailey, senior in political science and strategic communications, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bailey, 8142 Lingle Lane; Sen. David Adkins, R-Leawood.

From Olathe
Christopher Rahimian, senior in communication studies, son of Bonnie Rahimian, 624 Poor St.; U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., state office.

From Overland Park
Amit Parekh, senior in business administration and political science, son of Mr. and Mrs. Surendra Parekh, 9013 W. 128th St.; Kansas Bar Association.

MARSHALL COUNTY
From Marysville
Thomas Keating, sophomore in political science, son of Mick and Jane Keating, 1230 12th Road; Rep. Eber Phelps, D-Hays.

RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson
Luke Bauer, senior in social studies education, 2010 E. 43rd St.; Rep. Lee Tafanelli, R-Osawkie.

Catherine Shafer, freshman in Spanish and history, daughter of Lawrence and Maria Shafer, 604 Westside Villa; Rep. Judy Showalter, D-Winfield.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Tiffany Cornejo, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Donna Cornejo, 11032 Jennie Circle; Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Jarrod Forbes, senior in communication studies, son of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Forbes, 7619 S.W. Robin Hood Court.

Cydney Fowler, sophomore in biology, daughter of Kevin and Marie Fowler, 2797 S.W. Boswell Ave.; Kansas Democratic Party.

Kerri Jasso-Wedel, freshman in liberal arts and sciences, daughter of Paula Jasso, 2705 Staffordshire Road; Rep. Lana Gordon, R-Topeka.

Megan Skinner, senior in political science, daughter of Scott and Michele Skinner, 2336 S.E. 28th Court; Sen. Christine Downey, D-Inman.

Kara Walters, senior in political science, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Walters, 2221 S.E. 35; Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence.

From Wakarusa
Holly Hendrix, senior in political science and strategic communications, daughter of Scotty Hendrix, 5240 S.W. 85th St.; Rep. Clay Aurand, R-Courtland.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City
Katherine Hays, junior in political science and history, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Hays, 8629 Haskell; Sen. Mark Gilstrap, D-Kansas City.

Carlos Manso, senior in political science, son of Carlos and Martha Manso, 1908 N. 45th St.; Rep. Ray Cox, R-Bonner Springs.

FLORIDA
From Boca Raton
Melody Carter, senior in psychology, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Carter, 6423 N.W. 30th Ave.; Rep. Tom Burroughs, D-Kansas City.

INDIANA
From Auburn
Carolyn Horwitz, senior in political science, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Horwitz, 1309 Sanders Drive; Rep. David Huff, R-Lenexa.

MISSOURI
From Parkville
Amanda Hubbard, senior in political science and communication studies, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jon Hubbard, 6604 N.W. Melody Lane; Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth.

NEBRASKA
From Omaha
Amanda Flott, sophomore in political science and communication studies, daughter of Kimberly Doughty, 9631 Spaulding St.; Kansas Democratic Party.