Student achievement Gary Lawson Today’s Opportunities for Tomorrow’s Leaders 2007 STUDENT COUNCIL Senior Trey Lewis spent his summer in Washington, D.C., serving as an intern for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. The 22-year-old political science major helped the Democratic Party in its efforts to win a majority of the Oklahoma’s legislative seats. Lewis, a Stillwater resident, has made the most of his time on campus. In addition to his work on the arts and sciences student council, he has minors in economics and Middle Eastern studies — a new program in which he will be the first graduate. While in Washington, Lewis was able to apply what he has been learning in school toward fundraising and communication with representatives, lobbyists and the press. He says he particularly enjoyed talking with different senators and representatives who phoned the office. With all the hard work came perks, which included meeting a number of influential people such as presidential candidates Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards. Student Credits Professors for D.C. Internship “I felt like an actual employee and not just an intern,” says Lewis, who learned about the internship from Oklahoma Sen. Mike Morgan, whom he knew through the Young Democrats. With the help of Robert England, James Davis and James Scott, professors in the political science department, Lewis received OSU’s Henry Bellmon Leadership Scholarship to help pay for the high cost of living in Washington. The scholarship, named after former governor Henry Bellmon, is available to undergraduates who schedule internships at state or national levels of government. Lewis has advice for fellow students interested in receiving internships. “There are thousands of opportunities, and all you need to do is look for them. Scholarships are available to help students pay for the expeditions,” he says. “I couldn’t have done it without my professors and OSU.” Lewis plans to enter graduate school to work toward a master’s in global environmental policy. After graduate school, he wants to work in the developmental program for the United Nations. He also has fallback options, including working for the State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency or becoming a diplomat and working in an embassy. Lauren Lawson College of Arts and Sciences 8
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