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Presidential Scholar Catherine Haggett '01 will attend the Republican Convention. |
Presidential Scholar Courtney Masland '01 will attend the Democratic Convention. |
Catherine Haggett '01 and Courtney Masland '01 have been selected to be Presidential Scholars at the Washing-ton Center for Internships and Academic Seminars this summer. The career development center, the Weissman Center for Leadership, the dean of the College's office, and the president's office have provided a $2,500 fellowship for each student to participate in the program.
Those applying for the fellowship were
evaluated on the basis of their demonstrated leadership skills,
academic excellence, and interest in government and politics. In
addition to their applications, students submitted letters of
recommendation, a resume and current transcript, and a 600-word essay
on "The Most Important Challenge Facing the Next U.S. President."
"I consider the most important
challenge facing the next president to be in the area of foreign
policy, specifically with regard to humanitarian intervention," says
Haggett. "Clinton has established a precedent of U.S. military
intervention for humanitarian reasons. The next president will be
responsible for either accepting or rejecting this policy, and then
for defending his policy." Masland sees the greatest challenge facing
the next president as "the job of restoring American's faith in our
government system and elected officials." "The American political
system appears out of touch with the average American. I see
Americans craving honesty and mutual respect after our current
president leaves office. We need accountability as well as respect
and honesty," she says.
Presidential Scholars from colleges
across the country will spend two weeks at the site of the Republican
National Convention in Philadelphia (July 23 - August 4, 2000) and
the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles (August 6 - 18,
2000). Haggett, who has been a leader among the College Republicans
on campus, will attend the Republican Convention. Masland, who has
been involved in a range of public service experiences at the state
and national levels, will attend the Democratic convention. One week
prior to the conventions, the scholars will be taught and trained by
college faculty to participate in these important events in the
presidential race.
"I am ecstatic about being selected as
a Presidential Scholar. It is such an honor to represent Mount
Holyoke in this program," says Haggett. "I have an amazing
opportunity to be engaged in the American political process." Masland
echoes Haggett's enthusiasm. "I am so excited to be taking part in a
political process that was almost entirely closed off to women until
recently," she says. "I worked with Governor Jeanne Shaheen's office
this summer and got a taste of what women can do in politics. This
experience will be a very important step towards my future. I hope to
work at the state government level with a nonprofit organization,
specifically one that deals with women's issues."
Following their internship experience,
Haggett and Masland will participate in a fall 2000 forum on
electoral politics sponsored by the Harriet L. and Paul M. Weissman
Center for Leadership.
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