19 Students to Attend U.S. Presidential Inauguration

Nineteen Fairmont State University students will witness an important moment in American history by participating in a 10-day academic seminar in Washington, D.C., focusing on the U.S. Presidential Inauguration.

The Washington Center is sponsoring the seminar to be held from Jan. 12 through 22 as part of its Campaign 2012 Academic Seminar Series. During the week before the Inauguration, which is planned for Jan. 21, the students will hear speakers, visit sites, take tours and attend briefings and special events, including a reception at the National Press Club. They will build a professional network and explore potential career paths.

Students will hear presentations by speakers in the mornings and have small group discussions and site visits in the afternoons. Each small group will prepare a memo to the president that outlines its advice and concerns for the new administration.

Topics to be covered include presidential transition and political appointments, congressional confirmations, media relations, congressional relations and agenda-setting for national and foreign policy.

The Office of the Provost, the Department of Social Sciences, the Department of Language and Literature and the Honors Program are helping to cover the costs of attendance for FSU students. Participating faculty members are Robin Payne and Hollianne Marshall in the Department of Social Sciences.

Participating students are Courtenay Bjorndahl of Grafton, majoring in National Security and Intelligence and Political Science; Chaylee Cole-Coakley of Jane Lew, majoring in History; Cecilia Cotton of Clarksburg, majoring in Nursing and Political Science; Ashley Curry of Varney, majoring in Psychology; Veronica Fragale of Clarksburg, majoring in National Security and Intelligence; Lance Fullwood of Little Orleans, Md., majoring in Criminal Justice; Rosemary Grimm of Shinnston, majoring in Political Science; W. Cole Harper of Fairmont, majoring in National Security and Intelligence and Political Science; Sean Marion of Bridgeport, majoring in Criminal Justice; Lindsay Menas of Fairmont, majoring in English; Sean Rafferty of Parkersburg, majoring in National Security and Intelligence and Political Science; Brad Riffee of Morgantown, majoring in English; Kathryn Shields of Fairmont, majoring in Political Science and Communication; Caitlin Teetor of Scott Depot, majoring in Social Studies Education; Tyler Wilson of Beverly, majoring in National Security and Intelligence; Michael Workman of Bridgeport, majoring in Criminal Justice; Kaitlin Yohe of Lovettsville, Va., majoring in National Security and Intelligence and Political Science; Bradley Reed of Hurricane, majoring in Political Science; and Wesley Phelps of Falling Waters, majoring in National Security and Intelligence.

For more information about academic programs at Fairmont State University, visit www.fairmontstate.edu. For more information about The Washington Center, visit www.twc.edu/inauguration.

HonorsBrad RiffeeLanguage & LiteratureLindsay MenasSean RaffertyCourtenay BjorndahlKathryn ShieldsSean MarionRosemary GrimmSocial SciencesOffice of the ProvostRobin PayneHollianne MarshallChaylee Cole-CoakleyCecilia CottonAshley CurryVeronica FragaleLance FullwoodW. Cole HarperCaitlin TeetorTyler WilsonMichael WorkmanKaitlin YoheBradley ReedWesley Phelps