Rebecca Dunst of Reading traveled to Washington, D.C., this January to prepare for the 45th U.S. Presidential Inauguration. Through a partnership with The Washington Center, the students took part in a two-week Inauguration 2017 Academic Seminar program that began Jan. 9 and culminated with the inauguration ceremony for President Donald J. Trump on Friday, Jan. 20. Dunst is studying English at Alvernia.
Dunst joined fellow Alvernia University students Colton McLaughlin, ReJeana Goldsborough, Christopher Thomas and Ashley Beyer.
Based on the theme, “Elevating Political Discourse,” college students delve into different national policy issues each day that they spend in Washington, D.C., led by speakers and panelists who have competing views on the subject. More than 340 students from across the nation are attending The Washington Center seminar program this year. Launched in 1985, the seminar remains the only national academic program of its kind and size.
“Seminar participants have an opportunity to witness the most important event in our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power,” said Washington Center President Chris Norton. “I think our conversations during this seminar will have a multiplier effect on participants, who will continue this discourse at their institutions, in their careers and in their communities.”
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C., for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has more than 50,000 alumni who have become leaders in numerous professions and nations around the world. It was established in 1975.
