Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Four UTA students to attend Republican and Democratic National Conventions .

Four UTA students to attend Republican and Democratic National Conventions .

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Four students will represent UTA on a national level this August when they travel to Florida and North Carolina. Political science major Jacob Becker, economics senior Curtwin Bismark, public relations senior Lauren Devoll and political science major Todd Zelt are expected to attend the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, as well as seminars conducted by the Washington Center. Becker and Devoll will be going to the Republican National Convention in Florida, while Bismark and Zelt will attend the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina.

“This is a unique experience, and definitely an advantageous experience,” Bismark said. “It’s definitely one of those opportunities that could enhance one’s academic career.”

The students were selected through a campus-wide application process, after President James Spaniolo received an invitation for students earlier in the year, said Eric Bolsterli, assistant dean for the College of Liberal Arts. Applications then went through a committee of judges. Students had to submit an essay and recommendation letters for the application and had to have a good GPA, Bolsterli said. “Generally speaking, if we have students representing UTA, they have to have a 3.0,” he said. “We want the student body represented by people who are good students.”

After the students arrive, they will be placed in different areas to learn about the convention. Both Curtwin and Devoll said they’ve never been to a national political convention before. Curtwin said he hopes he’ll be placed in an area helping with media. One of the things he’s doing to help prepare himself is catching up on current events nationwide and internationally, he said. “If I can have an understanding of what some of the hot topics are, I can have a deeper understanding and appreciation for what happens on the floor,” he said.

He said he’s looking forward to possibly meeting some of the nation’s biggest business and political leaders. Devoll said she’s looking forward to seeing the process of how the country works. “This is really the root of it,” she said. “This is a big celebration.” As a public relations major, she said she has a different perspective than those who are political science majors going to the conventions. “Political science is something I’m still trying to figure out and what direction I should go with it,” she said. “So I’m wondering if it’s something that will kind of spark that passion or help me look in another direction.” The students will be missing the first couple of weeks of school, Bolsterli said. Curtwin and Devoll said they both will be working hard to keep up with what schoolwork they will miss, but they hope to bring knowledge back to their peers. “Knowledge is the richest thing I feel I can bring back,” Devoll said about politics. “And give that passion to someone who hasn’t — passion is something that is spreadable. It’s very contagious.”

The Shorthorn received no response by press time from Becker or Zelt about the trip.

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http://www.theshorthorn.com/index.php/news/studentlife/30438--four-uta-students-to-attend-republican-and-democratic-national-conventions

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