Several Mississippi State University students are in Washington, D.C., this summer participating in the William A. Demmer Scholars Program. These students participate in internships and work with federal agencies and non-governmental organizations that focus on natural resources, such as the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Forest Service.

Students also take an upper-level class in natural resources policy and visit with elected officials and other policymakers. Students recently met with Rep. Michael Guest from Mississippi’s Third District. Pictured with Guest, second from right, are MSU’s Demmer Scholars for this year:

Grant Peterson of Starkville, a senior wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture major, working with the National Association of State Foresters;

Camille Green of Purvis, a senior wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture and political science double major, working with Cornerstone Government Relations;

Courtney Cochran of Tupelo, a senior chemical engineering major, working with the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources;

Lily Langstaff of Southaven, a sophomore wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture major, working with the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation;  

Katherine Berryhill of Wilmer, Alabama, a senior agriculture education, leadership and communications major, working with the USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service; and

Hayden Miller of Wiggins, a senior agribusiness major, working with the USA Rice Federation.

Not pictured are Makeriah Hampton of Ruleville, a senior natural resources and environmental conservation major, working with the American Forest Foundation; and Amanda Kronenberger of Peachtree City, Georgia, a senior political science major, working with the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriations.