Top legislative interns win Rosenthal Award

April 18, 2022 - Beth Brauer

This story was edited and repurposed from IPPSR. To read the original story, visit the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.

Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, or IPPSR, and James Madison College hosted the 2022 Daniel Rosenthal Legislative Intern Awards ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April 13.

The Daniel Rosenthal Legislative Award is awarded to outstanding legislative student interns by legislators and staff supervisors. This year, eight undergraduate students received awards totaling $5000 in prizes. Two of the eight award recipients are James Madison Students.

Now in its 45th year, the 2022 Daniel Rosenthal Legislative Internship Program drew a record 28 nominations.

photo of several students holding award certificates — Several students who were honored for the top-legislative intern award pose for a photo.

JMC student Ben Ardis, intern to Rep. Karen Whitsett’s office, won a $750 prize. Ardis, an international relations junior was praised for extensive constituent research. “This opportunity has given me valuable knowledge about the inner workings of state government and how certain things are decided,” Ardis said.

Four interns each won $500 prizes. MSU student Alex Birkle, of Ann Arbor and an intern to House Minority Leader Donna Laskinski, was praised for his role in research on bills and policy analysis of the upcoming 2022-23 fiscal year budget.

“Every single day that I’ve been an intern, I’ve looked forward to heading into work. The ability to help others on a daily basis makes working in a legislative office one of the more rewarding jobs in the world,” Birkle wrote in his application.

Annie McIntosh, of East Lansing, was also a $500 winner. The MSU political theory and constitutional democracy junior was credited for writing constituent tributes in the office of sponsor Rep. Graham Filler. She also played a major role in helping constituents struggling with unemployment benefits.

“The well-being of others through proper representation is, to me, a virtue,” McIntosh wrote in her application for the award honoring the late Daniel Rosenthal, whose family created the award in honor of his legislative internship.

The invitation-only event was held in the Anderson House Office Building in downtown Lansing; the event saw a full house of approximately 50 people, including five legislators.

The top award recipient poses for a photo with three other men. — U of M student Justin Kasieta (navy suit and red tie) was the top-prize recipient.

The full list of award recipients, including the top-prize awardee Justin Kasieta, a University of Michigan student, can be found below. To view a list of all recognized nominees, refer to the release on IPPSR.

Justin Kasieta, University of Michigan – Rosenthal Award Winner ($1500)

State Representative Gregory Markkanen’s Office

Nicholas Gewirtz, Michigan State University – Rosenthal Award Winner ($750)

Michigan House of Representatives Clerk’s Office

Ben Ardis, Michigan State University – Rosenthal Award Winner ($750)

State Representative Karen Whitsett’s Office

Alex Birkle, Michigan State University – Rosenthal Award Winner ($500)

Office of House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski

Annie McIntosh, Michigan State University – Rosenthal Award Winner ($500)

State Representative Graham Filler’s Office

Julia Walters, Michigan State University – Rosenthal Award Winner ($500)

State Senator Curtis Hertel’s Office

Emily Douponce, Michigan State University – Rosenthal Award Winner ($500)

State Representative Tim Beson’s Office

Julia Schmidt, Michigan State University – Former State Representative Vern Ehlers Award Winner ($200)

State Representative Shri Thanedar’s Office