University of Virginia Library

Scott Gleason

Profile

Student Gains Experience As White House Intern

By JIM MASSEY

Scott Gleason, a fourth year student,
spent last summer at the White House in
the office of Herbert Klien the Director
of the Office of Communications as a
student intern.

Part of his responsibilities included
monitoring press reaction and collecting
both critical and favorable articles and
cartoons on issues such as the Pentagon
Papers, the President's upcoming trip to
China, and the President's upcoming
policy.

Noting that many people are skeptical
of the President's credibility, Mr. Gleason
stated that "Many people automatically
assume that President Nixon is trying to
hide something or trying to obfuscate the
truth. The Administration," he added, "is
very open about what they are doing and
their reasons for what they do".

In talking about his meeting with
President Nixon this summer Mr. Gleason
said, "He is very warm and sincere. He is
kind of like one of the neighbors fathers'
who would take you to a little league
game. I was impressed with him." Noting
the President's interest in the young
interns Mr. Gleason stated "We were
supposed to spend only 30 minutes but
he was so interested that he had us stay
for more like an hour".

When asked if Mr. Gleason would be
willing to meet with local radical students
informally and tell them what he saw
about how the inner workings of
government operate Mr. Gleason stated,
"I would be glad to speak with anybody
about my experiences in the Nixon
Administration. But I don't think I truly
understand the radical consciousness or
know how to relate to it."

The young administrator has developed
a background in government and business
experience as a congressional intern for
Honorable William S. Broomfield in the
summer of 1969. Mr. Gleason's ability to
analyze problems was put to use by the
House Foreign Affairs Committee's
minority staff on the question of the
impact of private investment in Latin
America.

He gained actual experience in overseas
currency operations the summer before
last while working as Treasurer of
Receipts for the Belgian Glass Company
in Soignies, Belgium. His responsibilities
included working with the government
authorities in the Belge-Luxembourgois
Institute de Change to resolve exchange
rate problems which were due to the

Belgian governments currency
restrictions.

Mr. Gleason's diverse abilities were
shown by his use of a fluency in French
and English, and knowledge of
accounting, currency regulations, and
exchange rates which the job required.

Another side of Mr. Gleason is revealed
by looking at his efforts with the Madison
Hall volunteer programs. Mr. Gleason
commented that, as director of the Big
Brother/Big Sister Program last year, it
was worthwhile."

"When a Little Brother is shown and
feels a true act of friendship, that is when.
I feel that what I'm doing is important,"
he said.

At Madison Hall this year Mr. Gleason
is Acting Director of the Office of
Volunteer Community Service and is in
charge of coordinating the efforts of
some 1,200 people from the University.

Somewhat modest and even
embarrassed about his unique experience
in the government Mr. Gleason stated,
"I'm not in a position to tell people how
the government works.

"I am just an individual, just another
student. It's hard for people to
understand that sometimes," he said.