Centre Student Completing Government Internship RELEASED: Feb. 6, 2001 DANVILLE, KY - Penny Cline, a Centre College senior, is working in Kentucky state government this semester as an administrative intern in a new program sponsored by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU). Cline is an international relations major and will spend four months in the state capital in the innovative program. She will receive academic credit for the program. Cline, whose hometown is Wausau, Wisconsin, is working for the Cabinet for Health Services in the Office of Program Support. The internship program requires students to work 30 hours a week for a state agency and complete two academic seminars while in Frankfort. One seminar, taught by State Budget Director James Ramsey, focuses on public finance and the state budget. The other, an independent research course on state government issues, is taught by Richard Wilson, the internship program's coordinator. Thirteen students from eight of Kentucky's 19 independent colleges were chosen for the first AIKCU Frankfort Semester Administrative Internship Program. Selection was based on applicants' interest in government, their academic background and a desire for an administrative employment experience while still in college. The AIKCU interns receive monthly stipends. "We believe that this program will be mutually beneficial to the state agencies where our students are working and to the students. These are very bright, enthusiastic and committed young people, and they are outstanding representatives of our colleges and universities," said Gary Cox, AIKCU's president. The administrative internship program is the second state government-related working and learning experience AIKCU is providing for private college students in Frankfort. Last spring the agency coordinated a legislative internship through which five students spent the entire semester in Frankfort working for members of Kentucky's General Assembly and participating in two academic seminars. AIKCU is an advocacy organization supporting Kentucky's 19 non-profit independent higher education institutions in the areas of fundraising, cooperative programs, research and public policy. Cline is the daughter of Donald and Kari Cline of Wausau and is a graduate of Wausau East High School. Founded in 1819, Centre is ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the country's top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre leads all colleges and universities in the percentage of alumni who give annual financial support. - end -   Communications Office Centre College 600 W. Walnut Street Danville, KY 40422