Norman Y. Mineta, Former Secretary of Transportation for the Bush Administration, was honored with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award at The Washington Center’s annual Gala event. This award is bestowed on an individual committed to opportunity and youth leadership.  This year, TWC chose Mineta for his role as both a pioneer and outstanding leader, who is internationally recognized for his dedication to public service.

At The Washington Center's (TWC) annual Gala this year, close to 550 board members, staff, partners and friends of the organization gathered together at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The night highlighted TWC's partnerships with colleges and universities, donors, alumni, governments, internships sites and over 50,000 alumni worldwide. Guests travelled from places as distant as Hawaii and Puerto Rico to attend this event.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) in partnership with the New York Life Foundation recognized its 2012 Higher Education Civic Engagement Awardees during a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) recognized their 2012 Academic Affairs Award recipients during a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. TWC celebrated devoted faculty, engaged universities and special partners for their work in the fields of civic education and leadership.

Awardees included:

Esteemed journalist, Cokie Roberts serves as Master of Ceremonies for Gala 2012: Celebrating 50,000 Alumni

Newt Minow is the Former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, an independent agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate telecommunications. Minow talked about the evolution and role of debates in the political process, and how they are affected by the quickly changing landscape of the media.

John Heilemann is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Game Change, about the 2008 presidential campaign, which was adapted into award-winning movie by HBO. He is also a journalist for New York magazine, where he mainly covers U.S. politics.

Roger Simon is the Chief Political Columnist at POLITICO, a political journalism organization that was established in 2007 to cover the politics of Capitol Hill, the presidential campaign and presidency, and the business of Washington lobbying and advocacy. Simon talked about the political landscape for the 2012 elections.

$100,000 in Scholarship Funding Given to Five Universities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 28, 2012 – In partnership with the New York Life Foundation, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars announce the 2012 recipients of the Higher Education Civic Engagement Award.  Five schools from across the nation will be honored at a luncheon on Oct. 1, 2012 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.  Award recipients were chosen among hundreds of nominees and winning schools will receive scholarship funding for experiential education.

This fall TWC launched their new Domestic Violence Fall 2012 Civic Engagement Project in partnership with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a highly-respected social change organization dedicated to creating an environment where violence against women no longer exists. As part of the advocacy component, students worked with NNEDV to support reauthorizing the Violence against Women Act (VAWA).