Centre College's Jonathan Pinque interns with Congressman Ben Chandler

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Jonathan Pinque '12 (above, left) has had opportunities as an intern for Congressman Ben Chandler in Washington, D.C., including touring C-SPAN.

DANVILLE, KY (08/16/2011)(readMedia)-- Jonathan Pinque of Athens, a junior at Centre College in Danville, Ky.,  is spending the end of the summer working for Congressman Ben Chandler, and the experience allowed him to learn more about his goal of helping others.

Pinque has a particular interest in activism. He completed a communications internship with Qatar Foundation International earlier this summer and it was an experience he relished.

"I didn't care if I was only pouring coffee there - I just wanted to learn what it takes to be a professional in the fields of activism, foreign relations and advocacy," he says. "Along the way, I have been guided and helped by many, and that has impacted me and made me to want to do the same. I am passionate about playing an activist role, bringing about change and helping others in any way possible."

Pinque says that living in D.C. for the summer has been a great experience.

"Going to a big city, I thought people would be at a faster pace and I wouldn't be able to keep up. But I adjusted quickly and met so many great people - from my two internships, friends in my dorm, people in other organizations such as USQBC and C-SPAN, ambassadors and other congressmen. Everyone made me feel at home in D.C. I've literally had the time of my life here."

He is a graduate of East Limestone School.

Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Forbes magazine ranks Centre 24th among all the nation's colleges and universities and has named Centre No. 1 among all institutions of higher education in the South for two years in a row. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices.