Entrepreneurial Spirit and Passion for Freedom? Internship Scholarship Paves Way for Career

Spencer Woodford (left) was a member of last fall’s homecoming court.

Spencer Woodford ’15, a political science major, was recently awarded the Freedom Internship Scholarship to enable him to work as an intern at Americans for Prosperity this summer in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The Freedom Internship Scholarship was established in 2014 by Jenna (Manning) and Josh Harlow ’06 who are dedicated to helping students with a passion for open and free societies, entrepreneurship, and protecting the most vulnerable in the United States. The donors work with the recipients to find an internship that best fits their career interest.

“Jenna and I feel fortunate, and honestly, very lucky that we have the opportunity to support a Westminster student each year by providing the support to place them in an internship environment that advances the free market and protects life in our country,” says Harlow.

When asked what his career goal is, Spencer replied that he would like “to advance far enough within any government organization which will allow me to help create public policy which will safeguard the personal freedoms promised to every American.”

Spencer has a lot to look forward to. The first scholarship winner, Kari Lenz ’14 had a life-changing experience during her summer internship with Americans United for Life (AUL) in Washington D.C. Because of Josh Harlow’s connections, Kari was able to meet with high-ranking officials in a number of organizations she otherwise would not have.

“Had it not been for my internship with AUL, thanks to the phenomenal support of the Harlows, I do not think I would have become an executive director of a pro-life agency at the age of 22.” -Kari Lenz ’14

Kari (right) with her superviser Mary Drury (left), a paralegal for the Governmental & Legal Affairs Department.

“I find it hard to compare my internship in D.C. at Americans United for Life (AUL) to not only my other internships,” says Kari, “but to those that my peers have experienced as well. Through Josh’s connections and support, I was able to connect with a top pro-life organization in the nation and have hands-on, real experience with projects due to my individualized attention from multiple people, including Josh, the College, my supervisor, and AUL at-large. From the committee rooms of the Capitol Building to the hallways of the Supreme Court, I was able to take all the knowledge and information from my studies at Westminster and apply it to real-life situations, making it the most rewarding summer of my life thus far.”

“My internship at AUL had many impacts on my life, but the main one would be the ability to land one of my current jobs. As a result of my knowledge of the pro-life movement and my ability to practice vital skills, I was able to recently become the Executive Director of a non-profit that helps underprivileged pregnant women and recent mothers with getting their lives back on track and helping provide education, support, and understanding. Had it not been for my internship with AUL, thanks to the phenomenal support of the Harlows, I do not think I would have become an executive director of a pro-life agency at the age of 22.”

“The Harlows’ generosity is something that I can only hope to offer someone in the future. Not only did they financially support me to have an amazing summer in D.C., but they mentored me throughout the whole process and continue to be extremely helpful in my endeavors.”

Since her internship, Kari has moved on to achieve great things. Currently, she is Westminster’s Fellow for Community Engagement and Service Learning. She also continues to work as the recently appointed Executive Director of the non-profit, pro-life agency she refers to in her quote. She attributes her success, in part, to the Harlows and her amazing summer internship.