KU News Release

April 4, 2008
Contact: Burdett Loomis, Department of Political Science, (785) 864-9033.

KU students working this semester as interns for state government leaders

LAWRENCE — Twenty-seven University of Kansas undergraduates are earning credit this semester working as interns in Topeka.

Through KU’s Topeka Public Service Internship Program, the students work with elected officials, administrators and lobbyists to learn more about state government and public service.

Internships are offered during the spring semester of each year, usually beginning in January and continuing through the end of April. Most interns work for individual lawmakers, and their assignments vary from researching public policy issues to helping with constituent correspondence to committee work or bill tracking.

Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, directs the program. Each Thursday, Loomis and co-director Mary Galligan of the Legislative Research Department meet with the students for a seminar to review the progress of the 90-day legislative session. Many seminars include visits by a wider range of capital insiders, such as cabinet secretaries, Statehouse reporters and legislative leaders, who provide additional perspectives on state politics and policy making.

“Getting a real feel for the day-to-day rhythms of the Legislature is truly valuable, and legislative leaders have been great in creating a great environment for all the interns who serve in Topeka,” said Loomis.

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 interns are listed by below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names (when available), high school and internship assignment.

ANDERSON COUNTY
From Garnett 66032
Travis Randal Lowe, senior in political science, son of Kenneth and Cindy Lowe; Irving High School; Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg.

COWLEY COUNTY
From Winfield 67156
Derek J. Glasgow, senior in political science, son of Dave and Diane Glasgow; Winfield High School; Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence.

CRAWFORD COUNTY
From McCune 66753
Jesse Lee Merritt, junior in political science, son of Kurt and Bonnie Merritt; Southeast High School Cherokee; Rep. Joshua Svaty, D-Ellsworth.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66046
Eric Bock Hyde, sophomore in linguistics, son of Beverly Hyde; Lawrence High School; Rep. Jerry Henry, D-Cummins.

From Lawrence 66049
Mason E. Heilman, sophomore in political science and pre-education, son of Steve and Sally Heilman; Lawrence Free State High School; Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY
From Ellsworth 67439
Allyn Marie Denning, senior in political science, daughter of Linda Denning; Ellsworth High School; Sen. Janis Lee, D-Kensington.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe 66061
Raymond Fitzgerald Wittlinger, senior in political science, son of Linda Bergant; Olathe North High School; Rep. Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg.

From Olathe 66062
Benjamin Allen Terwilliger, junior in history and political science, son of Scott and Sandy Terwilliger; Olathe South High School; Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence.

From Overland Park 66202
Robert Gregory Snook, senior in economics and political science, son of Linda and Greg Snook; Shawnee Mission North High School; Rep. Sue Storm, D-Overland Park.

From Overland Park 66207
Zachary C. Laufenburger, junior in political science, son of Deborah Laufenburger; Shawnee Mission South High School; Rep. Anthony Brown, R-Eudora.

From Overland Park 66212
Leigh Kathleen Keck, senior in political science, daughter of Rick and Joyce Keck; Shawnee Mission West High School; Rep. Lana Gordon, R-Topeka.

From Overland Park 66221
Kellen Wright Brittingham, junior in political science, son of Randy and Diane Brittingham; Blue Valley Northwest High School; Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford.

From Prairie Village 66208
Nathan Dennis Milburn, senior in political science; Shawnee Mission East High School; Sen. Chris Steineger, D-Kansas City, Kan.

Laura L. Webb, junior in political science and Spanish, daughter of Richard and Susan Webb; Shawnee Mission East High School; Rep. Pat George, R-Dodge City.

From Shawnee 66216
Christopher Ryan Ronnebaum, sophomore in history and political science, son of Edward Ronnebaum; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; Sen. Roger Pine, R-Lawrence.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Tonganoxie 66086
Melissa Lee Ward, senior in political science, daughter of Greg and Karen Ward; Lawrence Free State High School; Rep. Nile Dillmore, D-Wichita.

OSBORNE COUNTY
From Downs 67437
Callie Virginia Coco, junior in communication studies, daughter of Clark and Patricia Coco; Lakeside High School in Downs; Kearney and Associates Inc., Topeka.

REPUBLIC COUNTY
From Republic 66964
Lesley Jean Latham, sophomore in communication studies, daughter of Jesse S. and Joni Latham; Belleville High School; Rep. Clay Aurand, R-Courtland.

SALINE COUNTY
From Assaria 67416 and Salina 67401
Alexander Robert Earles, sophomore in political science, son of Robin Earles of Assaria and Peter Earles of Salina; Southeast Saline Senior High School, Gypsum; Rep. Raj Goyle, D-Wichita.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67230
Andrew Robert Stangl, senior in French and political science, son of Robert and Vickie Stangl; Andover High School; Rep. Jerry Williams, D-Chanute.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66610
Allison Ness Milhon, senior in journalism and strategic communications, daughter of Larry Milhon and Melissa Ness; Washburn Rural High School; Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

From Topeka 66614
Blake Baraban, sophomore in atmospheric science, son of Linda and Marc Baraban; Washburn Rural High School; Rep. Donald Dahl, R-Hillsboro.

Ramsi Paige Lindgren, senior in political science, daughter of Rhonda Lindgren; Washburn Rural High School; Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66103
Sara Elizabeth Vestal, sophomore in political science, daughter of Mark and Jody Vestal; Sumner Academy of Arts and Science; Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, Kan.

NEW MEXICO
From Albuquerque 87109
Seth Matthew Sanchez, sophomore in political science, son of Alfred and Jennifer Sanchez; Albuquerque Academy; Sen. Donald Betts, D-Wichita.

SOUTH DAKOTA
From Winner 57580
Grant Michael Flynn, senior in political science, son of Mary Carpenter and Dan Flynn; Winner High School; Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

TEXAS
From Rowlett 75088
John Collin Chlebak, senior in political science, son of John and Lesley Chlebak; Rowlett High School; Rep. Eber Phelps, D-Hays.

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