Four Lamar University students have been selected to attend the Campaign 2008: Presidential Academic Seminar Series, which enables college students to attend Democratic and Republic National Conventions.

Students will attend a one-week series of academic lectures and training in Washington, D.C., before they attend either the Democratic convention in Denver or the Republican convention Minneapolis-St. Paul.

They will have the opportunity to see democracy in action at both the grassroots and national levels, while cultivating their leadership skills. Prominent speakers will address the students in the mornings and special activities will be arranged for students in the afternoons, allowing the students to network with well-known political figures.

Caitlin Kruger of Beaumont and Craig Tahaney of Groves will attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver Aug. 17-29.

Jill Hamilton of Port Neches and Daniel Whitton of Buna will attend the

Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. Aug. 24 - Sept. 5.

Kruger is a double major in political science and communication. According to Kruger, this trip will be an excellent opportunity to be in the “real world” of politics, which is where she wants to work. She plans to apply what she has read in textbooks and gaining first hand experience.

Tahaney is a junior political science major. As a transfer student, he learned about this opportunity at orientation into the Lamar Honors Program. Tahaney says he most looks forward to meeting many political figures, including a potential presidential candidate.

Hamilton is junior math major at Lamar and says she been involved in politics since she was a child. She says she enjoys it because politics doesn't exclude anyone and people work together toward a common goal.

Whitton studies history at Lamar and plans to become a teacher after college. He says he has always been interested in politics and looks forward to seeing the processes at the convention. He plans to relay this experience to his future students.

For more information on the program, contact Donna Birdwell, director of the honors program, at (409) 880-8415.