A politician in the making C OF I SOPHOMORE INTERNS IN D.C. BY BRODIE ETHEREDGE
Age is just a number to Gabe Osterhout. The College of Idaho sophomore currently is the youngest intern working for Idaho Senator James E. Risch in Washington, D.C., but Osterhout’s political experience and knowledge stretch far beyond his years. “My interest in politics sparked in 9th grade when I started to follow the Congressional hearings of the ‘Big 3’ automobile manufacturers,” Osterhout said. “I had always been fascinated with history and following politics became my way of witnessing history in the making.” Osterhout’s political career began during high school when a job shadowing Idaho Gov. Butch Otter led to a paid position on Otter’s 2010 campaign. Since then, Osterhout has worked as a page for the Idaho House of Representatives, interned for Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador, and traveled to Florida to work for the Republican National Convention, where he helped nominate Mitt Romney as the party’s candidate for the 2012 presidential election and was named a “Future Politician” by the campaign staff. Last fall, Osterhout began his undergraduate career as a political economy major at the C of I and set his sights
The perks of the job: While interning for Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Gabe Osterhout has met some big names in Washington, including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
on interning in D.C. One year and two applications later, he secured an internship on Capitol Hill. “Just after I finished my freshman year, I received a call from Senator Risch’s office asking if I would like to work there in the fall,” Osterhout said. “It was a tough decision, but after consulting with my professors and my family, I felt it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” Osterhout has been in D.C. since September providing Risch’s office with services such as answering emails and phone calls and fact-checking information for legislative assistants. In addition to his daily responsibilities, Osterhout assists in town hall meetings and occasionally attends interviews with Risch. With his internship coming to a close,
Osterhout is grateful to have had such a valuable, hands-on experience. He also believes more than ever that his education helped prepare him for the opportunity. “Without a doubt, the preparation I received in little time at The College of Idaho allowed me to be considered for the internship,” Osterhout said. “The strong political economy department at the C of I thoroughly prepared me for this internship, and the internship in return has provided me with a wealth of knowledge.” Read about Osterhout’s D.C. adventures in the C of I Student Experience Blog at www.collegeofidaho.edu/blog/studentexperience. BRODIE ETHEREDGE is a C of I senior and freelance Quest reporter.
Lecture series open new doors at the C of I Two recently established lecture series are opening eyes, hearts and minds to new ways of thinking at The College of Idaho. The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Lectureship in Judaic Studies resumed in October as distinguished legal scholar Laurie Levenson spoke to a standingroom-only crowd in the Langroise Center. One month later, the College continued its Carter-Chalker Lectureship on Faith and Contemporary Issues by hosting renowned philosopher Holmes Rolston III. C of I President Marv Henberg says bringing strong, well-respected voices to campus is essential to giving students opportunities to think critically about new topics and expand their worldviews. “The value these lectureships provide for our entire campus is immeasurable,” Henberg said. “Hearing inspired words from world-renowned experts such as Laurie Levenson and Holmes Rolston is an incredible opportunity and privilege for our students.” Levenson, the David W. Burcham Chair in Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School, discussed Jewish law and ethics during her Oct. 3 lecture. Levenson has
appeared on CBS, CNN, ABC, NBC and NPR to share commentary on a wide range of high-publicity legal cases, including the O.J. Simpson murder trial, the Clinton impeachment and the Bernard Madoff investigation. Rolston, a University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Colorado State University, spoke on “Three Big Bangs: Matter-Energy, Life, Mind” during his Nov. 7 lecture. Known for his contributions to environmental ethics and the relationship between science and religion, Rolston won the 2003 Templeton Prize, an international award with a $1.5 million stipend given to the person in any given year deemed to have done most to affirm life’s spiritual dimension. He also has authored several books, including Three Big Bangs and A New Environmental Ethics: The Next Millennium for Life on Earth. Both the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Lectureship in Judaic Studies and the Carter-Chalker Lectureship on Faith and Contemporary Issues will continue to bring distinguished speakers to the C of I campus each school year. The lectures typically are streamed live at www.collegeofidaho.edu/videostream and posted to the College’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/goyotes.
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