The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, a program that provides internship programs and academic seminars to students from across the country and around the world, has named Elon its 2001 College of the Year. The award recognizes many years of outstanding work by Elon faculty members to engage students in Washington Center activities that enhance their civic education.
Washington Center senior vice president Eugene J. Alpert praised Elon’s experiential education programs and commitment to civic education, especially during the 2000 presidential campaign.
“From the Teaching Fellows and other Elon January seminar participants to the Washington interns, to the participants at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, there is significant indication that through (Elon’s) efforts, the lives of many students have been changed,” Alpert said. “They are more likely to understand and to be involved in civic pursuits and to promote civic literacy. Taken in total, Elon stands out as an institution that is an exemplary leader in civic education.”
The Washington Center, which was founded in 1975, offers a comprehensive, participatory learning experience in Washington, D.C. Students have the opportunity to explore various career paths while sampling the intellectual and cultural diversity of our nation’s capital. The Washington Center is affiliated with more than 800 colleges and universities nationwide and works with 2,000-3,000 internships placements in Washington representing major professional fields in the private, public and nonprofit sector. More than 26,000 students have participated in the program.
Pam Brumbaugh, director of experiential education, has been Elon’s liaison with the Washington Center for 15 years, coordinating the internship and academic seminar programs. Gerald Dillashaw, dean of the School of Education, has coordinated academic seminars at the center for Elon’s North Carolina Teaching Fellows. Both Brumbaugh and Dillashaw are members of the Center’s advisory board.
For many years, Elon political science faculty members Chalmers Brumbaugh and Bob Anderson have led student groups and served on the faculty of the Washington Center. Brumbaugh and Sharon Spray, assistant professor of political science, led groups of Elon students who participated in the 2000 Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
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