In front of the US Capitol from left to right, Fr. Hemrick, Liz Ferris, Leah Turner, Josh Newborn, Nathan Graham, Gianna Englert, Allison Lachat, Barry Conley, Chuck Arbore, and Dr. James Harrigan. Not shown (taking picture), Dr. Smetanka.

Eight students in the Saint Vincent Honors Program accompanied by Dr. John Smetanka, honors program director and Dr. James Harrigan, assistant professor of political science enjoyed a fun-filled educational trip to Washington, D.C. on Thursday, April 6. Highlighting the day was a “behind-the-scenes” tour of the U.S. Supreme Court led by Dr. Pam Evans, Supreme Court Research Librarian and Father Eugene Hemrick, member of the Advisory Council of the School for Humanities and Fine Arts and author of One Nation Under God, a book that details the religious symbolism on Capitol Hill including the Supreme Court. The students were able to stand behind the bench of the Supreme Court, examine the conference rooms and library and even shoot a basketball at the “highest court in the land” - the Supreme Court gymnasium located directly above the Courtroom. Father Hemrick’s tour included a walk around Capitol Hill in which he explained the symbolism in a variety of statues and sculptures both inside and outside the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. Students also toured the Folger Shakespeare Library and Union Station.