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Twenty-five KU students earn credit as interns in Topeka during spring semester
LAWRENCE — Twenty-five University of Kansas undergraduates are earning credit this semester working as interns for legislators in Topeka.
Through the Topeka Public Service Internship Program, the students work with state elected officials, state administrators and lobbyists to learn more about state government and public service. Internships are offered during the spring semester of each year and usually begin in January and continue through the end of April.
Burdett Loomis, KU professor of political science, directs the program.
Each Thursday, Loomis meets with the students for a weekly seminar to review the progress of the 90-day legislative session. Some seminars include visits by state officials for an additional perspective on state government and public service.
Topeka intern assignments vary from researching public policy issues to helping with constituent correspondence to committee work or bill tracking to helping Kansas citizens in various capacities.
Students can earn three to nine hours of credit. They spend at least two days a week in Topeka. Interns are not paid, but they receive a stipend for expenses in commuting from Lawrence to Topeka.
The Topeka interns are listed by below by hometown, level in school, major, parent names (when available), high school and internship assignment.
BROWN COUNTY
From Horton 66439
Joshua Cole Oaks, senior in history, son of Rodney and Delia Oaks; Horton High School; Sen. Phillip Journey, R-Haysville.
BUTLER COUNTY
From Andover 67002
Ryan Scott Adelson, senior in political science; Andover Central High School; Sen. Phillip Journey, R-Haysville.
JACKSON COUNTY
From Holton 66436
Patrick Samuel Brown, senior in political science, son of Thomas and LeAnn Brown; Holton High School; Sens. Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, and Donald Betts, D-Wichita.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66209
Daniel Gerard Asikainen, senior in political science, son of Lloyd and Donna Asikainen; Rockhurst High School, Kansas City, Mo.; Rep. Pat Colloton, R-Leawood.
From Olathe 66061
Brandon M. Bohning, senior in political science, son of Michael and Kelly Bohning; Olathe North High School; M. Whitney Damron, lobbyist.
From Overland Park 66207
Emily Kate Mueller, senior in management, daughter of John and Carol Mueller; Shawnee Mission South High School; Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
From Overland Park 66209
Emily Elizabeth Geier, senior in economics with a minor in philosophy, daughter of Larry and Kim Geier; Blue Valley North High School; Hein Law Firm Chartered, Topeka.
From Overland Park 66213
Austin B. Hayden, senior in political science, son of Dallas and Jill Hayden; Olathe East High School; Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina.
From Overland Park 66214
Artur Bagiyants, senior in political science, son of Alla Mergold and Armen Bagiyants; Shawnee Mission South High School; Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence.
From Overland Park 66221
Stephen K. Mock, senior in political science, son of Stephen and Marsha Mock; Blue Valley West High School; Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence.
From Overland Park 66223 and Salina 67401
Alex J. Zadina, senior in political science, son of Bill and Rita Mankin, Overland Park, and Ben Zadina, Salina; Salina Central High School; Sierra Club, Kansas chapter.
From Shawnee 66216
Thomas Henry Cox, junior in history and political science, son of Henry Cox; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; Rep. Annie Kuether, D-Topeka.
JEWELL COUNTY
From Mankato 66956
Sasha Lee Roe, sophomore in journalism and mass communications (news and information emphasis), daughter of Keith and Bethany Roe; Mankato High School; Rep. Clay Aurand, R-Courtland.
MIAMI COUNTY
From Louisburg 66053
Jessica Lynn Bergman, senior in political science, daughter of Michael and Laura Bergman; Louisburg High School; Sen. Derek Schmidt, R-Independence.
RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Allison Elizabeth Green, junior in history and political science, daughter of Dickie and Barbara Green; Manhattan High School; Rep. Tom Hawk, D-Manhattan.
SALINE COUNTY
From Salina 67401 and Overland Park 66223
Alex J. Zadina. See JOHNSON COUNTY
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Cheney 67025
Robyn C. Shaver, senior in political science; Goddard Senior High School; Rep. Judy Loganbill, D-Wichita.
From Wichita 67217
Jessica Lynn Brown, senior in political science; Wichita High School South; Rep. Steve Brunk, R-Bel Aire.
SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Silver Lake 66539
Matthew A. Bryant, senior in international studies and political science; son of Brad and Nancy Bryant; Silver Lake Junior-Senior High School; Dick Carter Jr., lobbyist.
IOWA
From Davenport 52806
Ashley M. Ahrens, senior in political science with a minor in history, daughter of Dennis and Lisa Ahrens; Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf, Iowa; Rep. Melody McCray-Miller, D-Wichita.
MICHIGAN
From Brighton 48116
Jade Marie Martin, sophomore in international studies and political science, daughter of Kristen Martin; Brighton High School; Rep. Jo Ann Pottorff, R-Wichita.
MINNESOTA
From Eden Prairie 55347
Sara Ann Belfry, senior in political science, daughter of Deborah Belfry; Eden Prairie High School; Rep. Lana Gordon, R-Topeka.
NEBRASKA
From Omaha 68134
Paul Andrew Karrer, senior in international studies and political science, son of Lee and Katie Karrer; Creighton Preparatory School; Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence.
OKLAHOMA
From Oklahoma City 73116
Kelsey Lynn Quillian, junior in journalism and mass communications (news and information emphasis) and political science, daughter of James and Barbara Quillian; Casady School; Rep. Terrie Huntington, R-Mission Hills.
TEXAS
From Rowlett 75088
John Collin Chlebak, junior in political science, son of John and Lesley Chlebak; Rowlett High School; Rep. Eber Phelps, D-Hays.
From San Antonio 78258
Ashley N. Smith, junior in American studies and political science, daughter of Charles Smith; Ronald Reagan High School; Rep. Vaughn Flora, D-Topeka.
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