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Eighth Lander Student Is Chosen for a Semester Internship in Washington

Kierra Brown
Kierra Brown

Another Lander University student has been accepted into the prestigious Washington, D.C., Semester Internship Program operated by the University of South Carolina Honors College.

Kierra Brown, of North Charleston, was selected to spend the spring 2013 semester in Washington, working on Capitol Hill or at another government-related assignment.

Dr. Lucas McMillan, assistant professor of political science, coordinates the program for Lander along with professor of philosophy Dr. John Moore, who is also director of the university's Honors Program. McMillan said students who apply for the Washington Semester must meet strict academic requirements and submit to a rigorous application process that includes a written essay and an interview by members of the Honors College selection committee.

Brown, a political science major, is Lander's second female applicant and the first minority student accepted. McMillan said, "We are excited that the diversity of the students interested in the program has increased." He added that Brown has distinguished herself academically.

Lander has a 100 percent success rate placing students in the program. Brown is the eighth student to apply and all eight have been accepted.

Emily Knott
Emily Knott

Two students, history major Emily Knott, of Boiling Springs, and John McKenzie, a political science major, from Simpsonville, are spending the current semester working in Washington.

Knott got her wish when she was assigned to work in a research and educational unit of the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. She said she is performing fascinating research into traditional medicine and intellectual property law, and is being treated as a member of the organization's staff.

John McKenzie
John McKenzie

McKenzie was hoping to land an internship on Capitol Hill and he did. He is working in the office of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson from South Carolina's second district. McKenzie said he applied for the internship because of the prestige and responsibilities it offers. After he graduates from Lander, he wants to attend law school and specialize in corporate law.

The internship, which is part of Lander's Honors Program, is a paid position and, in addition to working day jobs, interns are required to attend evening classes for which they earn course credits.