Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry joined with Belmont Abbey College to announce the creation of the Capitol and Carolina Internship. This new internship program aims to provide Belmont Abbey students with the opportunity to intern in both McHenry's Washington, DC and Gastonia offices. The internship program will begin this summer. 

Congressman McHenry will join with Belmont Abbey President Dr. William K. Thierfelder to formally launch the internship this Wednesday, March 30th at 9 AM. The event will be open to the media and will take place at the Alumni House on Belmont Abbey's campus located at 100 Belmont Mt. Holly Road in Belmont. 

“Having spent time as a Congressional intern, I know first-hand how the experience can shape one’s interest in public policy and service to our nation," said Congressman McHenry. "The opportunity to extend this same experience to current and future students at my alma mater is a truly great honor. I’d like to thank Dr. Thierfelder, Dr. Williams, and everyone at the Abbey for making it possible.” 

“There’s always a key local/national dynamic in Congress as representatives attend to both the needs of their district and the issues facing the country. By combining service in DC and here in the district, this program lets our Abbey students experience that dynamic first-hand in a truly unique way,” said Dr. David Williams, Belmont Abbey College Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. “They’ll have both the academic knowledge and the lived experience of public service to learn from. We’re very grateful to Congressman McHenry for the opportunity!”

Congressman McHenry and Belmont Abbey College will award the Capitol & Carolina internship to one student each year. The selected student will first intern in McHenry's Washington, DC office during the summer term. The selected student will then intern in McHenry's Gastonia office for the fall term. McHenry’s office will provide a stipend to help defray the cost of living in Washington, DC for the duration of the internship, and Belmont Abbey will waive tuition charges for the internship. Interested students will complete an application and essay which will then be reviewed by a panel made up of Belmont Abbey staff and a representative from McHenry's office.