47 students said goodbye to Washington as they graduated from Capital Semester Fall during a ceremony on the Hill on December 12.

Rep. Mike Ferguson (E 90) accepted the Alumni Achievement Award during the ceremony and also delivered the keynote address. Ferguson spoke to the students about his time serving as a representative for New Jersey and the importance of balancing family and career.

Also providing commencement remarks was Professor John Kelliher, managing director of the Marwood Group’s Washington office. Kelliher teaches the Public Affairs Internship Seminar for Capital Semester.

Capital Semester Fall 2008 began on Sept. 1, when students moved into furnished apartments on Capitol Hill. Shortly after, students began their internships and coursework. The intensive 15-week program included interning four days a week, attending various site briefings throughout the city and taking three courses worth 12-credits at Georgetown University.

CSF 2008 graduates Amanda Pope, a student at Chapman University in California, and Marci Manley were chosen to speak about their Capital Semester experiences at the graduation ceremony.

Manley, a student at the University of Arkansas, interned at the Al Arrabia News Channel where she had the opportunity to interview Washington insiders like Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Of her time in CSF, Manley said, “This semester was more than just making connections. It was about growing up, finding your footing, interacting with different cultures and learning about yourself. You can’t get a better support system than at TFAS. What’s particularly impressive is that there is such a large TFAS network – you walk down the street in a TFAS t-shirt and people will stop and say ‘I was a TFAS’er back in 87’.”

Capital Semester Spring students arrive in Washington on January 17th.