Three University graduates will intern at the White House this fall, according to a government statement released yesterday.

The interns, Kyle Gracey (SM '10), Ramzy Mardini (AM ‘09), and Damon Porter (AB ’10), were three of 142 interns selected. Mardini said the interns have been asked not to speak to the press.

“The program’s mission is to make the White House accessible to future leaders all around the nation and cultivate and prepare those devoted to public service for future leadership opportunities,” according to the White House website.

The unpaid internship lasts until December, during which time interns will conduct research, attend meetings, and write memos.

Interns work in one of several White House departments, including the the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Office of Health Reform, the Office of the Vice President, the Domestic Policy Council, the Office of the First Lady, and the National Economic Council. Each intern also participates in a long-term service project in the Washington, D.C. community.

"This program will mentor and cultivate young leaders of today and tomorrow and I'm proud that they will have this opportunity to serve,” President Obama said of the program in May 2009. “I look forward to working with those that are selected to participate, and I applaud and thank these young men and women for answering the call to service,”

A March post on the Politics Daily blog indicated that 6,000 people typically apply to the positions.