Seminar in Government (GLS 405) students visit Washington, D.C. with Professor Jeff Gulati.
Prof. Gulati and seven students enrolled in GLS 405 Seminar in Government visited Washington, DC during spring break 2014 to learn first-hand how policy is made from the people who are participants in the process and by seeing some of the historical sites. The week began with a social at The Tombs in Georgetown, where over 10 alumni living and working in the area met with our students to re-connect with Bentley and offer career advice. The next few days included personal meetings with Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Rep. Joe Kennedy, III, viewing of House and Senate floor proceedings from the galleries, and a VIP tour of the Capitol Building culminating in a visit to the floor of the House of Representatives. The students also met with a group of lobbyists from the renowned international law firm Patton Boggs to learn about their career paths, the nature of their practice, and the ethical dimensions of their work. Another highlight was a tour of the CNN studios, which was hosted by producer and Bentley alum Dan Merica. In their free time, the students saw most of the major monuments, explored the neighborhoods of Georgetown, Dupont Circle and Union Station, and enjoyed cocktails from the rooftop of the Hotel W. The only disappointment seemed to be that the visit was too short.