Olivet senior Cameron Walker of Fenton, Michigan, interns at Washington National Cathedral

2018 Mar 22

"My internship at the Washington National Cathedral combines my two biggest passions," says Olivet Nazarene University senior Cameron Walker of Fenton, Michigan. "My faith and my country."

For the spring 2018 semester, Walker - a political science major at Olivet - is a student in the American Studies Program, sponsored by the Christian Colleges & Universities BestSemester program in Washington, D.C. As soon as he received his class schedule, he realized he would also have time to complete an internship while he was there.

He immediately began pursuing another part of his dream: to intern with the programs team at the National Cathedral. Through a series of emails, he connected with Michelle Dibblee, director of Cathedral programs. During a phone interview, he had one and one-half hours to present himself and his dream.

Many students in the American Studies Program work in the offices of members of Congress or federal agencies. When Walker was hired, he knew he would have the opportunity to impact people on a deeper level. His supervisor told him "everything that isn't worship or tours is what you'll be doing," which was the most exciting job description he could have imagined.

"When I walked into the Cathedral for the first time as an employee, I was in awe," Walker says. "Even this building itself testifies to the majesty of the God we worship. This Cathedral is my church and my office during my time in D.C. It's also a spiritual home for our nation. That's intimidating and exhilarating at the same time!"

His internship began in January 2018 with his meeting and hearing Dr. Otis Moss Jr., a contemporary and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., preach at the Cathedral. Just one week later, he met noted author and speaker Brene Brown. He was also part of planning the programming to celebrate Black History Month in February.

"I wouldn't have had the confidence to pursue this program and internship without the guidance of Dr. David Van Heemst, my political science professor at Olivet," Walker says. "His genuine excitement and encouragement showed me once again how much he cares about his students."

While studying, working and living in the U.S. capital, Walker is aware that he is surrounded by people who disagree with him. "I am going to be faced with a lot of choices that I never faced at Olivet," he says. "I have to trust that my education and my faith will guide me to make the right decisions."