Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer Visits Dr. Tobias Gibson’s National Security Agencies Class 

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri’s third district spoke to students from Dr. Tobias Gibson’s National Security Agencies class at 6 p.m. on April 12, 2022. President and Chief Transformation Officer Donald P. Lofe, Jr., also attended the talk.

During his visit, Luetkemeyer discussed current national and international events as well as a bit about his career in politics.

Gibson said the congressman played an important role that day for his National Security Agencies students, who learn about various bureaucratic agencies in the national security enterprise as well as issues such as policies and oversight.

“Having Congressman Luetkemeyer in the class allowed the students to learn directly about how Congress is addressing current, pressing issues,” he added.

Luetkemeyer’s discussion of current events led to a variety of questions from students about working on Capitol Hill. The St. Elizabeth, MO, native also touched on how students majoring in Security Studies can find careers in politics.

He mentioned that Westminster students interested in political careers should apply for internships ― some of which are available through his offices in Jefferson City and Washington, DC.

Luetkemeyer’s invitation to Gibson’s class came through Anna Bossaller, ’23 IND, who has interned in the congressman’s Jefferson City office twice.

“I plan to work in the State Department or another government agency,” the political science and transnational studies major said. “So the work I’ve done in Congressman Luetkemeyer’s office has given me a vast amount of insight into government affairs as well as the opportunity to drastically improve my skills as a professional in the government sector.”

Following Luetkemeyer’s talk, Brooke Thompson, ’22 ΚΑΘ, a security studies major and recently commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army (Reserve) gave Luetkemeyer on an impromptu tour of Westminster’s Veterans Museum in the south foyer of Hunter Activity Center.

Gibson said the lecture and tour allowed his students a mid-semester break from their usual routine.

He added, “Congressman Luetkemeyer offered insight based on his perspective, informed from his experience in the House and his committee assignments, that they would not have gotten otherwise.”