Fifteen students from the University of Central Arkansas traveled to Washington D.C. for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration.
The 15 UCA students were among about 330 people traveling from Arkansas to Washington D.C. with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. UCA is sponsoring the students’ trip. Two graduate assistants will travel with the students.
To see a video of their departure, please visit http://youtu.be/N7v4E_MV_Bo.
“A trip to Washington, D.C., and a chance to see and visit the seat of our nation’s government is a unique experience. This is especially true given the fact that it will give our students the opportunity to attend the inauguration of President Obama. They will ask questions, get to see things first hand, take a tour of important buildings and monuments, and see the inauguration,” said UCA President Tom Courtway.
The UCA students were selected from a pool of 138 applicants who were asked about their on-campus leadership roles, grade point average, and why they wanted to attend inauguration. A committee of six staff members contacted selected students in December.
“I was shocked. I was excited. I was very happy considering it was open to the entire UCA body,” said Portia Crawford, a senior biology major. She said she sees this as a chance to be a part of history. “I’m very appreciative of this opportunity.”
“One of the students I contacted said, ‘This is the best Christmas present ever,’” said Wendy Holbrook, associate dean of student life and a member of the selection committee. “We were thrilled to hear their reactions.”
The group left on Saturday, January 19 and returned Tuesday, January 22, 2013.