SMC students to attend conventions
By NELLIE WILLIAMS
News Writer
Two Saint Mary's students are in for the experience of a lifetime.
This summer, Michelle Nagle and Heather O'Donnell will receive a remarkable lesson in political science as they work first hand with current political leaders and staffers while attending Campaign 2000: The National Political Conventions.
"This is an incredible opportunity, to be able to participate in something not as a kid, or college student, but as a citizen of the United States," Nagle said.
Campaign 2000 has been designed with the specific intention of allowing college students direct access to this year's presidential campaign. Students will have the opportunity to meet candidates, help manage campaigns, report news and work behind the scenes to put campaigns together.
"This is our first year [participating in this program]," said Patrick Pierce, professor of political science. "The program seemed to provide important and exciting experiences for our students."
The program, which sends one student to each convention, will last for two weeks. O'Donnell will be attending the Republican National Convention held in Philadelphia from July 23 to Aug. 4, while Nagle will be attending the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles from Aug. 6 to Aug. 18.
The program aims to help enable the young women to attend the conventions and is supported in part by academic dean Karen Ristau, along with the rest of the Board of Governance.
"I was completely shocked when I found out I was chosen to attend," said O'Donnell. "This is one of the greatest opportunities."
The first week of the program is mainly designed to allow students to learn the ropes and help set up for the convention the following week. The students will learn about the history of political campaigns and conventions, campaign finance and media coverage and will participate in the excitement as public officials and delegates begin to arrive.
The second week will focus on campaign issues and strategies, the keynote address, party platforms and selection of presidential and vice presidential nominees. Students will then be placed in fieldwork situations related to their primary interests, such as political committee or candidate, marketing/advertising, communications, event planning and advocacy groups.
O'Donnell, a double major in political science and communication, hopes to be able to work with the media.
"I want to be a political reporter one day," said O'Donnell.
Nagle, also a political science major, looks forward to the chance of working on a political committee.
"I would love to go to law school," she said, "Ideally, I would like to get into the realm of politics. There are several alumnae from Saint Mary's that are working for the federal government in Washington, D.C., and I would love to be a part of that someday."
For O'Donnell and Nagle, there is a significant amount of work to do even before they leave this summer.
"They need to complete adequate course work in political science to be able to benefit from the experience. The `facts' at a nominating convention do not speak for themselves; you need to interpret or analyze them," said Pierce. "[O'Donnell and Nagle] have taken courses that will enable them to understand events at the conventions."
Nagle knows this will have a great impact on her decisions in the future.
"Obviously, from being involved with student government here at Saint Mary's, you can see this is my passion. This convention goes hand in hand with what I want in my future career," said Nagle.
"Although learning about politics in the classroom is important," said Pierce, "I believe that a full understanding of politics comes when people take that knowledge and apply it to concrete political situations and processes. Our department has always encouraged students to become engaged in political life as part of their Saint Mary's education."
All News Stories for Wednesday, February 9, 2000
