JACKSON, Tenn. — July 29, 2002 — 51社区 junior David Patterson has been accepted to intern in the White House鈥檚 Office of Political Affairs in Washington, D.C., beginning in August through December of this year. Patterson, a history major with a minor in Christian ethics, will assist in serving as a liaison between the grassroots state Republican parties of 10 different states and the White House, tracking media responses to the president鈥檚 agenda, as well as writing political briefs for the president.
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited about that part,鈥� said Patterson, smiling. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to serve under a president who鈥檚 placed an emphasis on his faith.鈥�
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David Patterson, a junior history major at Union, will intern at the White House this fall. |
Patterson, who has always been interested in politics, is currently serving as campaign coordinator for Jimmy Eldridge, who is seeking a state house term, in addition to working at Utley and Latimer, a local law firm in Jackson. The internship opportunity was quite an unexpected surprise, he says.
鈥淢y best friend is there right now as an intern, and he called last Sunday and asked if I might want to come work at the White House and by Wednesday I was going,鈥� said Patterson, who will be living in Arlington, Va., during his internship.
鈥淲e are happy that David has been granted this unique opportunity,鈥� said Union President David S. Dockery. 鈥淗e is very deserving, hard working and conscientious. I鈥檓 sure he will do very well.鈥�
Chair of the university鈥檚 College Republicans chapter, Patterson is also on the executive board of the Madison County Young Republicans. He is looking forward to his Washington experience.
鈥淚 want to gain an understanding of how the activities in the White House and Washington affect us at a local level,鈥� said Patterson. 鈥淚 think that everything I鈥檓 learning here at Union has really prepared me on a practical level for what I鈥檓 about to experience.鈥�
Patterson and his parents, Jim and Donna Patterson, are residents of Jackson. After Union, he hopes to attend law school, and pursue politics after some time of practicing law.