(Posted March 30, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Malea Hetrick, a junior at Juniata College from Port Matilda, Pa., majoring in international studies and peace and conflict studies, recently received a Finnegan Fellowship from the James A. Finnegan Foundation, enabling Hetrick to work at a paid, 10-week internship this summer at one of Pennsylvania's executive agencies.

On March 28, a Governor's Luncheon at Gov. Ed Rendell's Residence will honor the incoming Fellows. Typically members of the governor's staff meet with each Finnegan Fellow to determine their interests, but Hetrick is studying abroad in Mexico and will conduct her interview by e-mail. Each fellow will be matched in an internship with an agency that reflects his or her individual interests.

Hetrick, the daughter of Clayton and Jill Hetrick of Port Matilda, wrote an essay on whether the government's $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act was necessary and if so, was it effective. Internships are awarded on the strength of the essay, letters of recommendation, college transcripts and extracurricular activities.

Hetrick is currently studying abroad at Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. She volunteers teaching English at a local school near Puebla. While in Mexico, she was named as one of 12 Best Delegates at the Latin American Model U.N conference. She also received the Nyce Scholarship for Study Abroad in Latin America participated in Juniata's summer program in Orizaba, Mexico in 2007.
At Juniata, she is in the Spanish Club and plays violin in the Juniata College Orchestra. She also is a student manager for Juniata's baseball team

The James A. Finnegan Foundation was established in 1960 to honor the memory of James A. Finnegan, Secretary of Pennsylvania from 1955 to 1958. Finnegan fellowships have been awarded since 1960. Finnegan served under Pennsylvania Gov. George M. Leader. Prior to his service as Secretary, Finnegan was president of the Philadelphia City Council from 1951 to 1955.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.