Students from UTC who are interested in the political process apply annually to become interns with the Tennessee State Legislature. While this year’s application process recently closed and students who applied anxiously await the selection announcement, one former intern, Matthew Kimsey of Martin, Tennessee, has benefited from his positive experience as an intern in spring 2009.
Named one of two recipients to receive a scholarship from the Tennessee Lobbyists Association, Kimsey’s collegiate extracurricular activities and professionalism among his intern peers earned him the award. He has served as a member of several administrative committees and he has been a Resident Assistant for UTC Housing.
Kimsey was placed in the office of House Representative Susan Lynn of District 57, Mt. Juliet, who was named the Chair of the House Government Operations Committee. Lyn acknowledged Kimsey on the House Floor as the recipient of the Tennessee Lobbyists Association’s House Scholarship
“During my experience working for the Government Operations Committee and Rep. Lynn, I quickly learned about our state government and its unique structure,” Kimsey said.
Kimsey, who is majoring in History: Pre-law with a minor in Political Science, was elected Governor of the 106 Intern General Assembly.
“Each session, the intern class holds a mock session where they elect their own officers and present their own bills and resolutions,” Kimsey said. “I took the opportunity to run for the office of Governor. I made it through the primary election along with two other interns, one from UT Knoxville and one from MTSU. We campaigned among our fellow interns.”
Kimsey also enjoyed meeting Reps. Gerald McCormick and Jim Cobb, and Senators Bo Watson and Andy Berke from the Chattanooga area.
