West Liberty University students Kristy Park and Arin Craft have been awarded the Judith A. Herndon Fellowship of the West Virginia Legislature for the 2015 session. Only 10 students state-wide receive the fellowships that offer the chance to work with elected officials during the upcoming legislative session.
“I am very pleased that the West Virginia Legislative Internship Committee has selected two of our students to participate in the Herndon internship program for this upcoming legislative session,” said Sylvia Hawranick Senften, Ed.D., MSW.
Senften is director of WLU’s social work program and serves as a representative to the West Virginia Advisory Council of Faculty, which works directly with the legislature on Higher Education topics. Park and Craft are both social work majors at WLU.
“I congratulate our students for their selection as Herndon Fellows. The opportunity to work as an intern for the legislature is invaluable and will offer a hands-on education on state government,” said President Robin C. Capehart, who himself served as a legislative intern while in college.
“I feel honored being picked as one of the only 10 people in the state and I am looking forward to the experience. Being selected recognizes my hard work and my professors’ efforts so I am grateful,” said Park, who is from Triadelphia, W.Va.
Craft, who is from Ripley, W.Va. agrees with Park.
“I am humbled to have been appointed to the Herndon Fellow’s Program. I’m anticipating a great semester with a lot of rewarding experiences as I learn about state government first hand,” she said.
Craft is most interested in following legislation that is geared towards oppressed and vulnerable populations like children, minorities and women. Park is interested in legislation that affects family welfare.
Students report for legislative duties on Friday, Jan. 9 and will remain in Charleston through March 14, which is the end of the legislative session. After that they will be placed in a state agency to complete the semester hours of their internship.
Both Park and Craft graduate in May 2015, with their bachelor degrees in social work.
The Herndon Fellowship is an internship sponsored by the Legislature to instruct undergraduate students in the theory and operation of legislative bodies. Only 10 students are selected for fellowships each legislature session. A highly competitive program, full-time students of all majors and disciplines from both public and private institutions of higher learning in West Virginia may apply.
Undergraduates are selected to participate in the 60-day session as Herndon Fellows and are assigned to assist a sole legislator from either the Senate of the House of Delegates.
The interns are required to perform research and various staff functions. Among other job-related responsibilities, participants are introduced to and develop an understanding of the politics of legislation, legislative research, bill drafting, the role and function of committees and the executive-legislative liaison.
Herndon (1941-1980) was a native of Wheeling and practiced law with her father’s firm. During 10 years of legislative service, she was appointed to terms in both the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate. She was known for her voice of moderation and leadership in issues such as tax reform, sunset legislation, and the protection of civil liberties.
