STUDENTS TO SERVE LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIPS IN JEFFERSON CITY

Seven Southeast Missouri State University students will serve legislative internships in Jefferson City next semester.

For Southeast, it's the largest class of legislative interns since the school began participating in the program four years ago. The students will begin their internships Jan. 3.

The political science internships provide the students with practical experience in a public agency and with firsthand experience in the operations of public policy. The students will earn three credit hours toward their baccalaureate degrees.

"This is an opportunity for our students to see how the legislative process and the political process in general work," said Peter Bergerson, chairman of the political science department.

"These students will work firsthand every day with state legislators. They will see how pressure groups interact with legislators and how the General Assembly operates as a body. They will see how the executive branch works and will get to meet and interact with the governor and lieutenant governor.

"They will get to work with legislators and be on the floor (of the General Assembly). This provides them with real practical experience about theories and practices they have learned about in classes. They get such a rich and fulfilling experience in Jefferson City," said Bergerson.

Dylan Dunavan of Cape Girardeau, a senior majoring in political science and English, will work in the office of Sen. J.B. "Jet" Banks of St. Louis.

Angel Woodruff of Jackson, a senior majoring in English with minors in political science and French, will work in the office of Rep. Joe Maxwell of Mexico.

Shelia Higgs of Malden, a senior majoring in political science and mass communication, will work in the office of Rep. Paula Carter of St. Louis.

Karen Golden of Hiram, a senior majoring in history with minors in political science and Spanish, will work in the office of Sen. Jerry Howard of Dexter.

Tonya Scherer of Cape Girardeau, a senior majoring in English with minors in political science, forensic communication and German, will work in the office of Rep. Larry Thomason of Kennett.

Kimberly Green of Cape Girardeau, a senior majoring in political science with a minor in economics, will work in the office of Rep. Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff. Green conducted an internship in the Cape Girardeau office of 8th District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson in 1992.

Nathan Cooper of Caledonia, a sophomore majoring in political science, will work in the office of Sen. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau. Cooper served as coordinator for the "Kinder for Senate Campaign" and as coordinator for the university's "Bush-Quayle '92 Campaign."