Katie Parks ’07 admitted she was a little nervous before meeting state Delegate Robert Zirkin.

But the Political Science major impressed the Baltimore County Democrat so much he offered her a summer internship on the spot.

Parks is one of several McDaniel students who, with students from 17 other independent Maryland colleges and universities, lobbied representatives in Annapolis Jan. 19 on Maryland Independent Higher Education Day. A week later, first-year students Jennifer Beckwith and April Curley were invited to testify before a legislative committee.

Thanking the legislators for restoring $10 million to the Sellinger Grant Program last year, the students asked them to fund fully the program this year, as was proposed in Governor Robert Ehrlich’s 2007 operating budget. The grants were created to strengthen the state’s private colleges and universities.

“This is instant immersion in the legislative process and shows students the value of numbers,” says Political Science Professor Herb Smith. “It teaches them the art of persuasion, which is driven by exposure, content, and persistence.”

Political Science major Joshua Russin ’07 learned it firsthand when speaking with his representative.

“Senator Alex Mooney of Frederick grilled us about how many loans we take out and he’s doing the math,” says Russin.

In years past, money cut from the Sellinger Grants affected student financial aid and educational services, according to the Maryland Independent Colleges and University Association (MICUA), of which McDaniel is a member.

Beckwith and Curley were the only students to testify Feb.16 before the House Appropriations Committee. The two sat on a panel with Tina Bjarekull, the president of MICUA, and Capitol College President Michael Wood.

“It was interesting to see how the state makes decisions about our education,” says Beckwith.

She and Curley told the group of lawmakers how the Sellinger Grant Program gave them opportunities at McDaniel, both in and outside the classroom. Each said she planned to give back to her communities by becoming a teacher, a doctor, or maybe a lawmaker.

“We really enjoyed hearing that you’re enjoying going to the school. You’re no doubt going to be very successful,” said committee member Delegate James Proctor, whose son graduated from the College in 1984.

Panelist Delegate Nancy Stocksdale ’56 joked with them.

“You better watch out,” Stocksdale said with a grin. “You graduate from McDaniel, you end up here.”