Date: Dec 18, 2012

Five students attending inauguration seminar

January program at Washington Center offers behind-the-scenes look at politics, media and the presidency

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Five Hofstra students will attend a 10-day presidential inauguration seminar at the Washington Center in January, getting a behind-the-scenes perspective on history, exploring potential career paths and meeting nationally recognized scholars, journalists and political leaders.

The five students, led by political science professor Dr. Richard Himelfarb, will attend several special events, including a reception at the National Press Club, and visit embassies, executive branch offices, congressional offices, media organizations and think-tanks. Scott Rechler, chief executive officer and chairman of RexCorp Realty, LLC, is providing scholarships for the Hofstra students to participate.

“This is an historic opportunity for some of the best and brightest Hofstra students to learn more about how our government works, and to help cultivate the next generation of leaders,” said Rechler, a longtime friend and supporter of the university. “It is my distinct pleasure to support this unique educational experience.”

The five students were chosen from among more than 60 applicants. Earlier this year, four Hofstra students attended the national political conventions in Tampa, FL, and Charlotte, NC as part of a Washington Center program. On Oct. 16, 2012, Hofstra University hosted the second presidential debate, the second consecutive election cycle that the university has been chosen for that honor.

The five students chosen for the inauguration seminar are:

•    JESSE CROSSON is a senior political science major and Honors College student at Hofstra, with minors in philosophy and mathematics. At Hofstra, he is a member of several honors societies (including Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha, Golden Key International, Phi Eta Sigma), a University Senator, and a singer in two of Hofstra’s most select choirs, the Chorale and Chamber Choir. He also represented Hofstra at the 2012 RNC, where he worked for Time Warner Cable.

•    CHRISTOPHER LANGLOIS is a Political Science and Broadcast Journalism double major, and Christopher has been involved in many extra-curricular activities on campus ranging from Hofstra's radio station, to HofstraTODAY, to co-founding the Hofstra Libertarians. Most recently, Christopher completed an internship with MSNBC's “Morning Joe”, Christopher is a member of the Hofstra University Honors College.

•    JOSE RIVERA is a third-year student at Hofstra University studying Spanish and Latin American & Caribbean Studies. José has excelled on Hofstra's campus as a student leader and is heavily involved with The Pride Network (Hofstra's LGBT club) and is also a brother of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc, and active and involved with the Hempstead and Uniondale communities through The Center for Civic Engagement. José hopes to serve in the armed forces upon graduation and as well as be a diplomat and/or translator for the United Nations.

•    ANDREA STANDROWICZ is a sophomore majoring in English Literature and Publishing Studies. She is minoring in Political Science and Marketing. Andrea was the Club Relations Chair of the Student Government Association, and has recently become the Vice President of the organization.  Andrea also gives campus tours to prospective students as a Pride Guide, and is a graduate of various leadership programs on campus.

•    KIMBERLY WILKENS is a second-year Honors College student with a major in American Literature and a minor in Political Science. Since coming to Hofstra, Kimberly has been on the Dean’s List and is chair of Hofstra University’s Relay for Life, which raised more than $106,000 for cancer research. She also volunteered when Hofstra hosted the second presidential debate on October 16, 2012 and was lucky enough to get a seat to see the debate live. She hopes to attend law school and focus on bioethics.

About Hofstra University

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution of higher education where more than 11,000 full and part-time students choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, applied science, communication, education, health sciences and human services, honors studies, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

About The Washington Center

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C. and London, England, for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has 70 full-time staff and more than 50,000 alumni, many of whom are in leadership positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.