EUGENE–About 40 University of Oregon students are getting a taste of state government while earning academic credit as interns for state legislators, government staff members and lobbyists in Salem.

Alan Contreras, program coordinator for the UO Legislative Internship Program, says internships like those with the Oregon Legislature provide students with a chance to learn how government works while providing legislators and other government officials with hard-working students who are eager to learn.

"Internships provide a valuable opportunity for hands-on experience and networking within a chosen career field," Contreras says. "It helps students build long-lasting relationships that really help as they move forward in their life paths."

The university’s Legislative Internship Program this legislative session also includes brown bag lunches that Contreras has scheduled for interns. Topics include news media and government, lobbying, how the state budget is prepared, and views from legislators and staff about how the legislative session works. This gives interns additional training, as well as exposure to different aspects of working in government, Contreras says.

Almost all of the winter-term interns will continue their work through the spring, while additional students will begin new internship assignments during spring term.

"Anyone interested in the few remaining internship placements for spring term should contact me to schedule an interview," Contreras says. Call him at (541) 346-5023.

Listed by their hometown, the UO legislative interns, their year in school and academic major, and their internship assignment include:

ALOHA–Jamie Fox, a senior political science major, Rep. Bill Morrisette, Springfield.

BAKER CITY–Katie Van Patten, a master’s degree student in planning, public policy and management, legislative aide to Rep. Al King, Springfield.

BEND–Duff Joseph Bryant, a third-year law student, Sen. Neil Bryant, Bend.

CORVALLIS–James Acres, a junior political science major, Rep. Ken Strobeck, Beaverton.

EUGENE–Hollis Barnes, a second-year law student, Rep. Judy Uherbelau, Ashland; Brenda Brown, a third-year law student, Rep. Chris Beck, Portland; Erik Iverson, a third-year law student, Rep. Kevin Mannix, Salem; Brendan Kane, a third-year law student, Rep. Dan Gardner, Portland; Pamela Miles, a third-year law student, Sen. Kate Brown, Portland; Jonathan Pinkerton, a senior planning, public policy and management major, Rep. Jim Welsh, Elmira; and Shannon Richard, a third-year law student, Governor’s Legal Counsel, Salem.

Other UO interns from Eugene are Holly R. Smith, a third-year law student, Public Utilities Commission, Salem; Jason J. Smith, a senior environmental studies and economics major, Sen. Rick Metsger, Welches; Steve Stuart, a second-year law student, Governor’s Community Development Office, Salem; Michael Vergamini, a third-year law student, Sen. Susan Castillo, Eugene; and Logan Wood, a senior political science major, Sen. Susan Castillo, Eugene.

HILLSBORO–Mae Johnson, a senior political science major, Rep. Tim Knopp, Bend; and Michelle Thurber, a sophomore political science major, Sen. Kate Brown, Portland.

KEIZER–Chad Standifer, a third-year law student, Rep. Kevin Mannix, Salem.

LA GRANDE–Laura Eakes, a second-year law student, Rep. Floyd Prozanski, Eugene.

LAKE OSWEGO–Sam Sears, a senior political science major, Rep. Al King, Springfield.

MEDFORD–Tuan Nguyen, a senior sociology major, Rep. Judy Uherbelau, Ashland; and Joel Willard, a sophomore political science major, Rep. Rob Patridge, Medford.

NEWPORT–Scott Kolwitz, a junior planning, public policy and management major, Sen. Ted Ferrioli, John Day.

PENDLETON–Brooke Burns, a second-year law student, Rep. Kevin Mannix, Salem; and Bill Fletcher, a third-year law student, Sen. Tony Corcoran, Cottage Grove.

PORTLAND–Colleen Leineweber, a junior political science major, Rep. Randy Leonard, Portland; Joel Parker, a third-year law student, Senate Judiciary, Salem; and Carrie Rasmussen, a second-year law student, Rep. Floyd Prozanski, Eugene.

ROSEBURG–Kirsten Thompson, a second-year law student, Governor’s Legal Counsel, Salem.

TIGARD–Elliott Dale, a junior political science major, Oregon University System Government Relations, Salem.

WOODBURN–Emese Gal-Perfecto, a third-year law student, Sen. Kate Brown, Portland.

LIVE OAK, CALIF.–Moses Messenger, a junior economics major, Rep. Jerry Krummel, Wilsonville.

SAN ANSELMO, CALIF.–Caroline Leedy, a senior political science major, Rep. JoAnn Bowman, Portland.

WILLITS, CALIF.–Rob Burton, a junior political science major, Sen. Tony Corcoran, Cottage Grove.

ARNOLD, MD.–Deepa Bhattacharyya, a third-year law student, Attorney General’s Office, Salem.

BOTHELL, WASH.–Kristen Palladino, a second-year law student, Rep. Bill Morrisette, Springfield.

OLYMPIA, WASH.–Mona McPhee, a second-year law student, Governor’s Legal Counsel, Salem

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