Capital city is a ‘classroom without walls’

There are many ways a student spent their days free from classes — some chose to work, others chose to visit family and many chose to catch up on sleep. And then there are Ron Campbell’s students, who did none of the above. Rather, they toured the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., in a single day.

The trip included tours of the White House, Supreme Court Building, Library of Congress and the Capitol Building. The group left the University at 3:00 a.m. Thursday and returned at 10:45 p.m. the same day.

“It was your one-day-express experience in Washington D.C.,” said Liz Montgomery, a medical support technician at the College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital.

Ron Campbell, a professor of agricultural and resource economics, organized the trip for the 92 participants.

“It’s a classroom without walls,” Campbell said.

The busses departed from the Burger King and after a five hour trip, they arrived in D.C.

“Traffic in D.C. was very light, mainly because Congress had adjured for the upcoming election,” Campbell said. “Not only were the 535 legislators out of town, but also their families and staffs.”

Upon arrival at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, students passed through multiple security checkpoints before the White House tour.

“We got a chance to see the White House as the President’s Mansion right up close and to say that it belongs to all of us,” Campbell said. “While we may have slight differences of political persuasion, this is where the commander-in-chief lives… all of the history was there. It wasn’t made up, it wasn’t Walt Disney — it was the real thing.”

The White House tour included the East Wing, the Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room and State Dining Room. No cameras were allowed on the tour, but the sight from the Green Room encompassed the White House lawn, the National Mall and the Washington Monument in one commanding view.

Afterward, the group rode toward the Capitol — pausing for group photos on the Senate and Supreme Court steps — and ventured inside the Supreme Court Building.

“Many of those [on the trip] were students of law,” Campbell said, “and to go and see where the law is interpreted was a great experience for them.”

The students saw the court room, the great hall and a display on the history of the Court and the building.

Following a lunch break at the Supreme Court Café — located in the basement of the Supreme Court Building — the students went to the Library of Congress. To make things interesting, Campbell organized a “treasure hunt” for the students. For roughly half an hour, students dashed from exhibit to exhibit, seeking the answers to trivia questions.

The group then traveled via underground tunnel to the Capitol Building, where they viewed an exhibition on the workings of the houses of Congress and the history of the building. Subsequently, the group took a guided tour of the Capitol Building, including the Rotunda, Hall of Statues and the old Supreme Court chambers.

Emily Talley, a sophomore in poultry science, said the tour of the Capitol Building was her favorite.

“We had a really good tour guide and we got really to see how Greek mythology has influenced the building of our entire capital,” Talley said.

The whirlwind trip ended with a bus ride home, returning around 10:45 p.m.

“It was an early morning but it was worth it to come. I really learned a lot on this trip,” Talley said.

Josh Stalls, a junior in agricultural business management, agreed with Talley.

“It was a quick trip, but a very good experience. My favorite part was the [Capitol Building’s] rotunda.”

Montgomery said although some of the stops on the trip were familiar to her, others were a new experience.

“I got to see some places I’ve never seen before and I’ve been to D.C. five or six times,” Montgomery said. “I liked the Library of Congress. I’d never been there before. I’m glad we went — I’ll definitely go back.”

Campbell said he has plans to expand the opportunity to students in the future, offering a trip during fall and spring breaks in coming years. In the past, the D.C. trip has primarily been attended by pre-law and agricultural law students, but Campbell said he is open to students from other areas of study to come as well.

“The history and law aspects are just one angle to take,” Campbell said.