Alum Event Extravaganza!

Yesterday, one of the most loved CMC personalities, John Faranda, hosted an alumni event at the D.C. class room. In true Ath fashion, cheese, crackers and wine were served as current and past students had a chance to catch up, meet, and mingle. Though most of us lingered on past memories of CMC, Mr. Faranda showed us a slide show of the possible suture of our beloved school. I had a chance to chat with some alumni and hear their thoughts on the past, present and future of our school.

What do you miss most about the school?

• "The professors! You never realize what a privilege it is to be surrounded by such an amazing faculty."

• "Collins and the hub. I wish my parents still paid for my meals"

• "Toga party.... am I allowed to say that?"

• "The classes, definitely."

• "Living next door to all of my friends."

What class do you regret not taking while at CMC?

• "Pitney's Congress class. Everyone who took it still raves about how great it was to this day."

• "I don't know about classes, but I know I wish I went to the Ath more often."

Do you think campus life has changed at CMC since your time there?

• "As long as people still work hard and play hard... then no."

What should be CMC's top priority for the future?

• "More events where they bring alumni back!... I miss campus."

• "While I was there I always wanted them to let me bring my dog in the dorms.... that's not gonna happen is it?"

• "The library NEEDS to be open 24/7! I mean seriously, who studies before 11pm?"

Do you miss the D.C. Program?

• "YES. I miss all the people, the professors and my internship.What I would give to be back."

• "Well I did initially... until I realized work is a lot easier when it's followed by happy hour instead of homework."

• "Oh yes. And it prepared me well. Grad school and work would have seemed impossible to accomplish if it wasn't for my experience on the program."

Mt. Vernon, Party Buses and Creme Brulee

What do Mt. Vernon, party buses and creme brulee have in common? They're all a part of the amazing field trip planned for the group by Dr. Elizabeth Spalding. It takes a great organizer to entertain a group of strictly-professional twenty-somethings... but the sing-a-long bus ride was proof that a good time was had by all. Can I get a toot, toot?














Students sit on George Washington's fence



The group in front of the Potomac


Fall leaves


Enjoying the party bus

In the Shadow of a Senator- A Day with Senator Merkley

Here in D.C., and around the U.S. interns are used to being in the shadows. This is not to say we aren’t doing substantive or important work, but rather that we recognize our transient nature, and that for some, this means credit is not always given credit where credit is due.

Thus far I have had an absolutely wonderful internship experience at Senator Merkley’s office: I’ve fallen in love with a new policy area, my LC and LA have incorporated me into the team and make sure I have exciting project each week, and I’ve had lunches with the Senator and all the upper level staff. Furthermore, last Wednesday I had a chance to shadow the Senator for the whole day.

While most Americans are under the misconceptions that Senators are lazy, do-nothings who socialize all day, if you’ve taken Professor Pitney’s Congress class you know how busy they really are. On Wednesday, I began my day with the Senator at 8:30, because that is when I come into work. He however, had already been working for hours, going to meetings, researching legislation and taking phone calls. In my nine hours with the Senator, we attended seven meetings, were on the floor once for a speech and once to preside, gave a press conference, met with various staff members and attended committee hearings. We never even had time for lunch. I’d always seen the Senator running in and out of the office, but I never truly appreciated the rigors of his schedule until I spent the day running in my heels, trying to keep up with him.

The coolest parts of the day were getting to speak with the Senator about current issues, his time on the Hill and the work that he’s done in the past. Senator Merkley is unique in that he, as a college student, interned for Senator Hatfield, whose seat he now holds. Because of this he has a special appreciation and understanding of the work us interns do. Few get a chance to spend an entire day with their boss, nonetheless a Senator. It is an experience I will always cherish. As an intern in D.C. you’re going to work hard, toil over projects you love, run errands you hate, and stand in awe of the individuals in whose shadows you stand.

*Also, it was fun to have my name on CSPAN/ entered into the congressional record when the Senator asked for unanimous consent to allow me to have floor privileges for the day.