Contact: Sammy McDavid
Some two dozen members of the John C. Stennis-G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Association at Mississippi State are in the nation's capital this week to enhance their political learning curves.
The student group's visit to Capitol Hill takes place as the 2004 presidential race is about to begin in earnest. The campaign of President George Bush already is sparring directly with the organization of leading Democratic Party challenger John Kerry as both groups contemplate consumer activist Ralph Nader's announced plan to seek the nation's highest elective office as an independent.
Named for two prominent MSU alumni who spent decades in the United States Congress, the MSU association was formed several years ago to promote and provide a deeper understanding of public service and the political process among students at the state's largest university.
The organization has nearly 100 members, many enrolled in academic majors other than political science. For six years now, the most active participants have been rewarded with the Washington trip, accompanied by organization advisers Marty Wiseman, executive director of MSU's Stennis Institute of Government, and institute research analyst Stephen Williams.
After arriving Wednesday afternoon [the 25th], the MSU group began its schedule with a Thursday morning briefing at the Cannon House Office Building on the Montgomery GI Bill. The landmark legislation is named in honor of Sonny Montgomery, the former 3rd District congressman from Mississippi who led in its creation.
The students also are scheduled to meet with representatives of the Republican and Democratic national election committees, as well as members of the White House's offices of intern coordination, communications and the first lady. Glenn Rushing, chief of staff to former Mississippi congressman Ronnie Shows, will be discussing his work as national field director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Additionally, students and advisers will hear from three MSU alumni who work in major federal agencies, including Rhonda Keenum, an undersecretary of the Commerce Department; Ray Mosley, director of the Federal Register; and Jim Newsome, chairman of the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission.
After a free day on Saturday, the group returns to campus Sunday afternoon.
The 2004 MSU Stennis-Montgomery Washington travel group includes (by hometown):
AMORY--Paul C. Gault, a senior political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Gault.
BATESVILLE--Christy A. Vinson, a sophomore political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Vinson.
BELZONI--Susan A. Shurden, a junior marketing major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Shurden.
BILOXI--Clare H. Bass, a junior political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bass.
CARROLLTON--Thomas R. Gregory, a junior management of construction and land development major and the son of Thomas Gregory and Anna Gregory.
COLLINSVILLE--Morgan L. McPhail, a senior political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark McPhail.
FOXWORTH--Thomas J. Harvey, a junior general business administration major and the son of Thomas Harvey and Charlotte Wells.
HARTSELLE, Ala.--Kelly R. Whatley, a sophomore marketing major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Whatley.
HATTIESBURG--Mary Clayton Norman, a senior psychology major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Norman.
HOUSTON--Derick L. Vance, a senior political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Derick Vance.
INVERNESS--Jane Anna Harris, a senior political science major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Harris; and Charles E. "Ward" Williams, a senior management of construction and land development major and the son of Bethe [cq] Williams and the late Charles E. Williams.
ITTA BENA--Nicole Lipsey, a senior biological sciences major and the daughter of Carol Lipsey.
JACKSON--Jennings Cooper, a junior political science major and the daughter of Allen Cooper and Jan Cooper [both ZIP 39202]; Nicholas A. "Nick" Wilson, a senior political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Blake Wilson [39211]; and Timothy S. Jackson, a senior history and political science double major and the son of Ronnie Jackson [39213] and Felecia Jackson [39209].
KOSCIUSKO--F. Pullen Watkins, a senior political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Watkins.
LELAND--Edward A. Sanders, a sophomore political science/pre-law and history double major and the son of Jeanette Sanders.
MADISON--Virginia C. "Ginna" Sudduth, a senior marketing major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duff Sudduth; and Joe G. Ulmer, a junior financial planning major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ulmer.
PASCAGOULA--Jeremy T. England, a senior political science major and the son of John England and Cheryl Weber.
PHILADELPHIA--Lacie V. Wilkerson, a senior communication major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wilkerson.
SHANNON--Katherine Witthauer, a senior psychology major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Witthauer.
SYLACAUGA, Ala.--Joshua O. "Josh" Blades, a senior political science major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Blades.
VICKSBURG--C. Phillips Strickland, a junior psychology major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Strickland.
COLLEGE NEWS EDITORS: For additional information, contact the Stennis Institute at (662) 325-3328, where staff members can forward your inquiry to either Dr. Wiseman or Mr. Williams.