CONTACT: Dr. James Hallmark, provost/vice president for academic affairs, 806-651-2044
COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129
WTAMU Student Heads to Washington, D.C. for Internship
CANYON, Texas—Blake Adams realized he had a deep interest in public policy and government after taking a required political science course at West Texas A&M University—an interest that is now taking him to Washington, D.C. as an intern in the Office of U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas.
Adams, a junior accounting major with a minor in political science from Tulia, will head to the nation’s capital in January and spend the next five months learning the ins and outs of how a congressional office works.
"The reality of this opportunity is starting to set in, and I’m really excited," Adams said. "I want to go to law school, and this will give me some first-hand experience in the real world."
The Congressional and Public Policy Internship with Thornberry’s office provides student interns a chance to experience the day-to-day operations in the administrative, legislative and communication branches of the office. Adams also will have the opportunity to participate in the many opportunities available in the city. Students participating in the intern program earn six semester hours of credit and a stipend from the University.
Adams applied for the internship at the encouragement of Dr. Dwight Vick, assistant professor of public administration.
"Blake is one of the brightest minds I’ve encountered at WT, and I’ve met quite a few," Vick said. "He’s one of those students you know will achieve much in their personal and professional lives. Blake is confident in his abilities and knows he can accomplish whatever he sets his mind to do. I’m glad to pay a small part in his overall education. I expect great things from him. For Blake, WT and the congressional internship are the beginning of many great accomplishments."
Adams is a member of Gamma Beta Phi, Alpha Chi Honor Society and Students in Free Enterprise. He also is involved in the University’s first student-led political science journal. He works as a supplemental instructor and last spring served as a resident assistant on campus. He volunteers at the High Plains Children’s Home and enjoys weekends working on his family’s ranch near Tulia. He is the son of Donald and Roxanne Adams of Tulia.
—WTAMU—