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News Release

Last modified: Thursday, February 2, 2012

Christian Hines named IU's third Presidential Intern

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Christian Hines has been named Indiana University's third Presidential Intern, starting in spring 2012.

A finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship who spent a summer in Northern Ireland interning with the U.S. State Department, Hines graduated from IU with highest distinction in 2011 with a major in history as well as an individualized major in democratic theory and contemporary American citizenship.

Administered by the IU Office of the President, the Presidential Intern position provides high-achieving IU undergraduates with the opportunity to gain experience and leadership skills while contributing to the long-term improvement of the university.

"I first met Christian when he served as a member of the Board of Aeons, and I am delighted he has agreed to serve the university in this important role," IU President Michael A. McRobbie said. "An extremely well-rounded and thoughtful individual, Christian brings to the position exceptional academic credentials, strong leadership potential and a significant amount of knowledge and experience in the areas of politics and policy. His inquisitiveness and educational background will bring welcomed insight into the proposal for a 'Great Books' program at IU, which could contribute to the educational diversity of the university."

During his internship, Hines will study the feasibility of creating a new program to further the undergraduate experience at IU. The inter-disciplinary program would promote the study of Western master works of art, literature and philosophy in relation to each other as well as the social, historical and political context in which they were produced.

As part of the project, Hines will analyze similar programs at top research institutions such as Yale, Columbia and Princeton universities and gauge interest in such a program at IU from both faculty and students.

"There were a number of cool opportunities available after I graduated, but I'm really lucky to be able to come back to a place I care deeply about and work on a project that I think could have huge value to the university," Hines said. "This substantive curriculum could forge connections across disciplinary lines and represents a way of building on the significant progress IU has made in its effort to recruit high-achieving students."

Hines was a Wells Scholar, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, a finalist for the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship and a Lilly Endowment scholarship winner. He spent a month in South Africa helping organize an oral history project for the Center for Culture and Languages in Africa, was a public policy fellow at the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research and interned in the office of U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar. He was also a member of the Board of Aeons, a student board that conducts research projects for the president's office.

Following his internship, Hines intends to attend law school and seek a master's degree in political theory.

Previous Presidential Interns were Esther Uduehi and Miles Taylor.

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