Elections in Virginia

Happy Halloween!

I write this to you now before heading off to see the play “Dracula” by DC’s acclaimed Synetic Theatre (http://www.synetictheater.org/season_0910_dracula.html) – the perfect way to spend the holiday!

But, as well all know, other exciting things do follow the merriment of Halloween – Thanksgiving and the holiday season among them. One exciting event, though, that’s right around the corner is elections for the Virginian government, where we all get the chance to flex our democratic muscles and select who will represent us in the Virginia General Assembly and the executive! With recent budget shortfalls, and increasingly shrinking funds to our beloved College, there’s all the more reason to pay close attention this year.

Despite who ends up in the Governor’s Mansion, however, William and Mary plans to send it’s own delegation of students up to Richmond to participate in the College’s second annual Richmond Interns Program – a program now on steroids thanks to a lot of work put in by the government department, Senator Tommy Norment, the administration, the Student Assembly, and students around campus.

This program is just another example of the wonderful opportunities afforded William and Mary students, and offers a select group of students the chance to spend two days a week in Richmond working directly with legislators, the executive, lobbyists, other interest groups, and administrative departments to increase understanding and be a part of the policy-making process for Virginia throughout the General Assembly Session. The team this year is an incredible group of students that stretches from sophomores to seniors, and republicans to democrats to independents, with majors all over the board! Led by Virginia Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment, the program looks to throw our students right into the mix as they become integral parts of the respective offices they intern in, and events like private lunches will be planned with reporters, lobbyists – and even the Governor himself.

So in the future, if you’re looking for a great way to get academic credit, get a competitive internship under your belt without needing a whole summer, meet an array of new people, and get a first-hand look at policy-making at the state-level, the Richmond Interns program – an incredible new resource at the College – may be a great fit for you!

For more information, see www.wm.edu/richmond, or feel free to contact me with questions!

Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween, and be sure not to gorge too much on those M&M’s 🙂

Brian