Westminster Political Science Major Reflects on Internship in Washington, D.C.

Brenna Butler, Westminster College senior political science and philosophy major, reflects on her summer courses at American University and internship at the Reason Foundation, an American libertarian research foundation in Washington, D.C.

“My summer semester in Washington D.C. was nothing short of an extraordinary formative experience for me as I approach graduation,” said Butler.

At American University, Butler attended the School of Professional and Extended Studies, taking a course taught by Adam Sharon, press secretary, Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

At the Reason Foundation, Butler co-authored an article with Leonard Gilroy, director of government reform, on e-cigarettes. The article was distributed to legislators across the nation.

Butler became an alumna of the Foundation of Economic Education, where she met Larry Reed, organization president, and Rand Paul, presidential candidate for the republican party.

“During my time in D.C., I witnessed a monumental time in our nation’s history - the Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage,” said Butler. “I was also given the opportunity to interview people participating in the decision.”

Butler had the opportunity to sit in on the Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Iran where John Kerry, secretary, was the witness at hand; watch a State Department Press briefing; view a taping of Meet the Press; and meet with a Legislative Affairs Advisor at the White House.

For more information about political science at Westminster, contact Dr. Edward Cohen, professor and program coordinator for political science, at cohenes@westminster.edu or (724) 946-7304.

More Stories