Olivia Kittel of West Chester wins Washington College Political Science Award

CHESTERTOWN, MD (06/07/2013)(readMedia)-- Washington College is pleased to announce that Olivia Kittel '13 of West Chester, PA, has been named the recipient of the 2012-13 Political Science Award, which recognizes "a graduating major who in the opinion of the Department, demonstrates a superior theoretical and practical understanding of political life."

Kittel graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a minor in philosophy at Washington College's 230th commencement ceremony this May. She was president of the Student Events Board her senior year, after serving as an office manager and events director. On campus, Kittel was also a columnist with the campus newspaper, The Elm. A member of the Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society, the Phi Sigma Tau philosophy honor society, and the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, she was a featured photographer for the Convergence art show hosted by Daly 208 Projects and Art History Club this spring. Her photography has also been featured in The Collegian, the College's literary magazine. She participated in the Public Leadership Education Network's Women in Policy Seminar.

Kittel has accepted a full-time position as an events associate with Politico. Her Senior Capstone Experience was a study of how political issue frames are used by and in print media outlets, specifically the Affordable Care Act's Contraception Mandate as described in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post.

Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in colonial Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore.