By Taylor Paraboschi
As part of an in-depth analysis of President Obama's first hundred days in office, two University students will be partaking in an intensive seminar in Washington D.C. from May 17-24. During the three-day event, which is sponsored by The Washington Center, students involved will have the opportunity to hear various congressmen and media personnel speak. In addition to attending various lectures, the students will be allowed to directly question the congressman about their opinions on the current administration and other government issues.
"The first 100 days are the most important time period during a presidency, and it seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity that I couldn't pass up," said sophomore Political Science and Global Studies major Alana Glaubiger, who was one of the students chosen to attend the confrence.
Glaubiger went on to add that the students are also responsible for holding a personal one-on-one interviews with a media or governmental official that deeply analyzes every aspect of President Obama's first hundred days. They will be responsible for covering topics such as foreign affairs and the future impact that the President will have on the country. "I will hopefully be interviewing Edward Rollins and David Sanger," said Glaubiger.
In addition to attending the conference in late May, Glaubiger has also had the opportunity be a volunteer on President Obama's campaign team, and canvassed for him in Pennsylvania during election season. "It was amazing being around so many student activists and coming together from different places for the same cause."
While campaign for Obama afforded Glaubiger the oppurtunity to experience an insider's view of a presidental campaign, attending the upcoming confrence will allow her to take an in-depth look at the progress that the candidate she supported has made in his first hundred days in office. "The first 100 days, also known as the "honeymoon " period, is a time when the President is most likely to get his policies passed and he must utilize this time wisely."
As for what she hopes to achieve from the confrence, freshman Political Science major, Allison Meyer hopes to further her knowledge in both governmental issues and policies. "I like meeting people who can teach me new things and learning from new experiences," said Meyer in a press release issued by the University. "I hope to learn more about important issues and possible policies, the Obama administration, Washington, D.C., think tanks, and myself."