Contact: Sammy McDavid
Twenty members of the John C. Stennis-G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Association at Mississippi State University leave Wednesday [Feb. 27] for a four-day visit to the nation's capitol.
Named for two prominent MSU alumni who spent decades in Congress during the latter half of the 20th century, the association was formed three years ago to promote and provide a deeper understanding of the political process among students at the state's largest university.
The organization has nearly 60 members, many enrolled in academic majors other than political science. The most active participants are rewarded with the Washington, D.C., trip.
Marty Wiseman, executive director of MSU's John C. Stennis Institute of Government, and institute research analyst Stephen Williams are advisers for the organization and will accompany the students. Last year, Stennis-Montgomery members were in the capital during the inauguration of President George W. Bush.
"Academic majors aren't a criteria for this organization, but a strong interest in the political arena and active participation are," Wiseman said. "Members making these trips each year consistently have taken leadership roles in a range of events and activities the association sponsors during the fall semester."
While in Washington, the 2002 contingent will be special guests at a series of luncheons, receptions and education programs organized by members of the state congressional delegation.
Beginning Thursday morning [the 28th], they will take a guided tour of the House of Representatives and Senate office buildings, then attend a luncheon at the Capitol hosted by 3rd District Rep. Chip Pickering and sponsored by the Stennis Center for Public Service, a congressionally affiliated office located in Starkville. During the afternoon, they will have separate meetings with Yazoo City natives Haley Barbour, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Chris Hennick, a senior adviser to President Bush.
On Friday [March 1st], the group will be involved in separate study sessions on the Sonny Montgomery G.I. Bill--named in honor of the retired 3rd District Mississippi congressman--congressional lobbying, and the daily workings of the Republican National and Democratic Congressional Campaign committees.
Also on Friday, they will turn the tables and interview Pascagoula native Gina Holland. Former editor of the MSU newspaper, The Reflector, Holland worked for many years after graduation in 1989 with the Associated Press' Jackson bureau. She now is AP's reporter at the United States Supreme Court.
The day's activities conclude at the Monocle restaurant, where the group will be guests at an evening reception co-sponsored by District of Columbia-area alumni of MSU. Following a free day on Saturday [the 3rd], the students return to campus Sunday.
Stennis-Montgomery members going this year to Washington include (by hometown):
BELDEN--Junior Michael J. Nolting, a marketing major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nolting.
CANTON--Senior Kelly E. Kirk, a general business administration major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kirk.
CORINTH--Senior Hillary D. Phillips, a human sciences major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Huey D. Phillips.
DIAMONDHEAD--Senior Page Austin, a political science major and the daughter of Wayne Austin.
GULFPORT--Senior Lynn Parker, a general business administration major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Parker.
HOLLY SPRINGS--Senior Russell B. Jordan, a real estate and mortgage financing major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Jordan.
HOUSTON--Senior Brandon Jolly, a political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Jolly.
INVERNESS--Freshman Charles E. "Ward" Edwards, a management of construction and land major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Williams, and junior Jane Anna Harris, a political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Harris.
JACKSON--Senior Christine L. Brewer, a marketing major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Brewer; junior Timothy S. Jackson, a political science major and the son of Ronnie Jackson and Felecia Jackson; senior Natalie R. Jones, a banking and finance major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Jones; and junior Nyerere Tryman, a political science major and the son of Maggie Mixon of Jackson and Mfanya Tryman of Starkville.
KOSCIUSKO--Freshman F. Pullen Watkins, an anthropology major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Watkins.
LOUISVILLE--Junior Jason McNeel, a management of construction and land major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Niles McNeel.
SOMERVILLE, Tenn.--Senior Brooke A. Bliss, a general business administration major and the daughter of Russell Bliss and Mary Clayton.
STARKVILLE--Senior Alex Karr, a political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Karr; sophomore Jennifer L. Phillips, a political science major and the daughter of Judy Phillips of Starkville and Edward Phillips of Columbus; and junior Nyerere Tryman (also listed in JACKSON group), a political science major and the son of Mfanya Tryman of Starkville and Maggie Mixon of Jackson.
STUTTGART, Ark.--Senior Susannah Rodgers, a political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rodgers.
TUPELO--Senior Sara E. Peters, a political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Peters.