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UTSA Professor and Student Attend Bush Inauguration Both were in Washington as a part of an academic internship program designed to get students involved in the political process by letting them see first hand how congressional leaders work when they are in session. Jasperson served as a faculty adviser for the program, which also exposed students to various issues, such as the upcoming presidential transition and the role the mass media played in the elections. Students had a chance to hear the views of high-profile media veterans, Sam Donaldson of ABC News and Washington Post Columnist David Broder. In addition to the classroom setting, Jasperson and Barnes were able to sit in on the Senate confirmation hearings of U.S. Attorney General nominee John Ashcroft. "We got there early and walked into this huge room," Barnes said. "The media sat in front, the senators sat on their benches and Ashcroft was left in the middle," she recalled. In between hearings and other events, the students who--were from colleges all over the country--played tourist, visiting historic sites and developing friendships likely to last long beyond the new administration. The week concluded with the presidential inauguration, for which Jasperson and Barnes braved freezing temperatures and rainy conditions to witness. Jasperson said, "It’s amazing to be a part of history. This will go down as one of the most unique, historically interesting presidencies ever." Barnes felt the experience was invaluable; after seeing what agents lives are like, she says she may apply for the Secret Service. Send
your comments and items to: UTSAToday@utsa.edu.
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The
United State's recent changeover in political leadership has held the
interest of the world. While most of us have watched from afar, UTSA
Assistant Professor of Social and Policy Sciences Amy Jasperson and
Senior Political Science major Tiffany Barnes got to experience the
culmination from ground zero.