KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Twenty-two undergraduates from the University of Kansas 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 the legislative session. 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 Raney Gilliland 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 range of capital insiders, such as cabinet secretaries, Statehouse reporters and legislative leaders, who provide additional perspectives on state politics and policy making.

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, high school and internship assignment.

BUTLER COUNTY
From Augusta 67010
John Michael Thornton, junior in history; son of Daryl and Robin Thornton; Augusta High School; internship with Rep. David Crum, R-Augusta

From El Dorado 67042
Sara Grace Freeman, senior in political science; daughter of Frank and Sally Freeman; El Dorado High School; internship with Rep. John Grange, R-El Dorado

DICKINSON COUNTY
From Abilene 67410
Ellen Marie Guilfoyle, senior in political science; daughter of Mark and Kathleen Guilfoyle; Abilene High School; internship with Rep. Tom Moxley, R-Council Grove

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Gardner 66030
Christina Marie Kriegshauser, junior in political science; internship with Rep. Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell

Cassondra Elaine Sparks, senior in political science; daughter of Audrey and Randy Sparks; Gardner Edgerton High School; internship with Sen. Karen Brownlee, R-Olathe

From Leawood 66209
Patricia Ann Campbell, senior in political science; daughter of Patty and Don Campbell; Blue Valley North High School; internship with Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford

From Olathe 66062
Emma Mae Eckert, sophomore in political science; daughter of Gregg and Lois Eckert; Blue Valley West High School; internship with Rep. Delores Furtado, D-Overland Park

Peter Timothy Northcott, senior in political science; son of Charles Northcott; internship with Rep. Arlen Siegfried, R-Olathe

From Overland Park 66210
Lauren Arielle Beebe, junior in English; daughter of Linda Beebe; Blue Valley Northwest High School; internship with U.S. Rep. Lynne Jenkins’ Topeka office

From Overland Park 66223
Joshua Thomas Dean, sophomore in economics; son of Margaret and Thomas Dean; Blue Valley High School; internship with U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore’s Overland Park office

From Shawnee 66217
Amanda Allenbrand, senior in history; daughter of Linda Allenbrand; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; internship with Rep. Larry Powell, R-Garden City

From Shawnee 66226
Alexander Stephen Rausch, junior in pre-journalism; son of Marilyn and Walter Rausch; Mill Valley High School; internship with Rep. Milack Talia, D-Shawnee