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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Lamar students to gain political insight at National Conventions

Four Lamar University students will attend the Republican and Democratic National Conventions this summer. They are, from left, Craig Tahaney, Jill Hamilton, Caitlin Kruger and Daniel Whitton.

Four Lamar University students will get a rare opportunity to see the American electoral process first hand when they attend this summer's national conventions.

Caitlin Kruger, Craig Tahaney, Jill Hamilton and Daniel Whitton have been selected to attend the Campaign 2008: Presidential Academic Seminar Series, which enables college students to attend Democratic and Republic National Conventions, according to a press release from Lamar University.

Kruger, of Beaumont, and Tahaney, of Groves, will attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver Aug. 17-29.

Hamilton, of Port Neches, and Whitton, of Buna, will attend the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. Aug. 24 – Sept. 5.

Before the conventions, the students will attend a weeklong series of academic lectures and training in Washington, D.C.

During the conventions, the students will be addressed by prominent speakers and will have the opportunity to network with well-known political figures at specially arranged events.

Kruger is a double major in political science and communication.

In the press release, Kruger said this trip will be an excellent opportunity to be in the "real world" of politics. She plans to apply what she has read in textbooks and gain first hand experience.
Tahaney is a junior political science major.
As a transfer student, he learned about this opportunity at orientation into the Lamar Honors Program. Tahaney says he most looks forward to meeting many political figures, including a potential presidential candidate.

Hamilton is junior math major at Lamar and says she been involved in politics since she was a child. She says she enjoys it because politics doesn't exclude anyone and people work together toward a common goal.

Whitton studies history at Lamar and plans to become a teacher after college. He says he has always been interested in politics and looks forward to seeing the processes at the convention. He plans to relay this experience to his future students.

For more information on the program, contact Donna Birdwell, director of the honors program, at (409) 880-8415.

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