March 4, 2002

Contact: Burdett Loomis, Dole Institute of Politics, (785) 864-9033.

Robert J. Dole Internship Program sends 10 KU students to Washington, D.C.

LAWRENCE -- Ten University of Kansas students are in Washington, D.C., this semester earning academic credit working as interns in KU's Robert J. Dole Internship Program.

The program is open to KU undergraduates from all majors, and most participants are juniors and seniors. Burdett A. Loomis, professor of political science, established the program in the 1983-1984 academic year and continues to act as its overall director.

Former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery of Kansas and his wife, Linda, are the internship coordinators in Washington.

Students are responsible for obtaining their internships, though KU's political science department assists students and provides congressional office contacts.

"This year's interns have found an especially interesting set of positions," Loomis said. "They have excellent academic backgrounds to help them with their work."

Besides carrying out work assignments, KU interns attend weekly seminars with politicians and policy experts, including Kansas members of Congress. A highlight of the program is a meeting with former Sen. Dole, who provides commentary on current events and welcomes the students to his Washington, D.C., law offices.

Students apply for internships in early fall, and interns work in Washington from Jan. 15 to May 1. Students are accepted on the basis of academic records, references and interviews. They pay KU tuition costs, transportation, and room and board; some scholarship assistance is available through the KU political science department.

Students from other universities also enroll in KU's Dole internship program. In addition to the KU students, five students from Wichita State University and one student from Kansas State University are enrolled in KU's 2001 program, receiving credit through their own schools.

Below are the KU students' names, year and major, their parents' names and home address, and their place of internship. All internships are in Washington, D.C.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Mike Connolly, sophomore in political science, son of John and Heide Connolly, 4520 Turnberry Drive; Sprint.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa
Joe Jarvis, senior in political science, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Jarvis, 8102 Caenen Lake; U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

Lindy Ruble, junior in political science and international studies, daughter of Dorothy Carol, 14933 Rhodes Circle; U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

From Olathe
Joshua Keepes, sophomore in political science, son of Joshua Keepes, 1516 E. 151st Terrace; House Ways and Means Committee.

CRAWFORD COUNTY
From Pittsburg
Elizabeth McCoy, senior in philosophy and political science, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith McCoy, 790 S. 170th St.; U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.

NEOSHO COUNTY
From Chanute
Cara Gates, senior in political science, daughter of Dan and Mary Gates, 731 W. 14th; U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan
Abbie Hodgson, junior in women's studies and political science, daughter of Cherie Hogdson, 3803 Emerald Circle; National Foundation for Women Legislators.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Jennifer Berry, senior in political science and international studies, daughter of Ned and Deborah Berry, 505 N. Rock Road, Apt. 607; EMILY's List.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Robin Anderson, junior in political science, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gayle Anderson, 3120 Atwood; U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan.

OKLAHOMA
From Tulsa
Matt Zaller, senior in humanities and political science, son of Mr. and Mrs. Any Zaller, 3642 S. Oswego; U.S. Rep. Eliot Engle, D-N.Y.