University of Tennessee Department of Materials Science & Engineering |
MSE @ Congressional Visit Day Washington DC, April 12, 2024 Four members of the student chapter of Material Advantage at the University of Tennessee Knoxville shared an exciting trip to Washington DC for Congressional Visit Day. The students attended a total of four congressional meetings in which they advocated for the importance of basic R&D funding in light of upcoming votes in appropriations bills for the 2025 fiscal year. From left to right: MSE junior Jakob Scroggin, MSE sophomore Jocelyn Hess, MSE junior Maddie Maben & MSE sophomore Megan Gillespie. The students met with Congressman John Rose and his legislative staffer from District 6 (Megan's district); see above. They also met with two legislative staff members from Senator Hagerty's office, a legislative assistant from Congressman Burchett's office from District 2 (Jocelyn and Maddie's district), and a legislative aide from Senator Schmitt's office in Missouri (Jakob's home state). In addition to their meetings on Capitol Hill, they rode the metro... ... toured the Capitol, saw the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, The students also attended the Material Advantage Congressional Visit Day opening night reception (where they received some advocacy tips), went to the U.S. Botanic Garden, and visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Jakob was recently named a Barry Goldwater scholar, so it is fitting that he sought out a statue of Barry Goldwater in the Capitol. The students gratefully acknowledge the support of the MSE Department and the Center for Materials Processing at the University of Tennessee that made this trip possible! More photos on the Keffer research group site. |