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In the Program in Washington, classroom discussions can be connected immediately to the real world of politics and policy. On April 11, for example, students in the morning seminar on campaigns and elections discussed pre-election and post-election disputes. The reading for the class, Jay Weiner’s This Is Not Florida: How Al Franken Won the Minnesota Senate Recount, featured Marc Elias ’90 as the protagonist in the long legal battle. That afternoon, students met with Elias to discuss the 2008 recount and the 2012 election.

Even with a full plate of seminars, jobs, debates, meetings and independent research, students in the Program in Washington find time to explore the capital’s cultural and sporting life. Amy Soenksen ’13 described an April 7 outing to see the DC United soccer team.

On April 4, students in the Program in Washington met with Michael Klosson ’71, Save the Children’s vice president for policy and humanitarian response. Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, Save the Children works with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners.

Participants in the first Levitt Leadership Institute cohort headed to Washington, D.C. for the  second phase of the program during spring break. Led by Prudence Bushnell, former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and Guatemala, the group continued their focus on the study of leadership, a program that was enhanced by daily meetings with Washington leaders. Funding for the entire program was provided by Arthur Levitt Jr.

On March 21, students in the Program in Washington traveled to Alexandria, Va., to meet with Alicia Davis Downs ’97 and Michael Dubke ’92 to discuss technology, media and the 2012 election.

On March 14, students in the Program in Washington met with Paddy McGuire ’81, deputy director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program.  FVAP acts on behalf of the Secretary of Defense to help administer the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986.

On Wednesday, March 14, Hamilton students participating in the Program in Washington attended the official welcoming ceremony for David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, on the south lawn of the White House. Sara Feuerstein ’07, a member of the White House staff, arranged for the students to attend this important and traditional event.

On a spectacular Sunday afternoon, Feb. 26, students on the Program in Washington visited Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for 14,000 veterans.  The highlight of the visit was witnessing the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns by soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment.

On February 22, students in the Semester in Washington Program met with Timothy Nussbaum ’07, Northern Virginia operations coordinator for the George Allen for U.S. Senate campaign. Previously, Nussbaum had served as senior research assistant for the Fred Thompson for President campaign in 2008 and as executive assistant to the president of George Allen Strategies LLC.

On Feb. 15, students in the Program in Washington met with Michael McCurry P ’13, co-chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates. CPD was established in 1987 to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates.