The University of Utah marks a significant milestone with the opening of the Orrin G. Hatch Center in Washington, D.C. This new facility, made possible by the support of the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation and the Kem and Carolyn Gardner family, serves a dual purpose: providing housing for U students interning in D.C. and acting as Utah’s “embassy” in the nation’s capital.
Jason Perry, the U’s Vice President for Government Relations and the Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, emphasizes the importance of presence in places where policy is shaped. This center is a step toward maintaining Utah’s influential role in national policy-making.
Facility Details
Located near Dupont Circle and Embassy Row, the Hatch Center consists of two interconnected brownstones and a separate carriage house. It features:
- Furnished bedrooms in single, double, and triple-occupancy suites
- Kitchens and student lounges on each floor
- A resident assistant (RA) suite
- Two rooftop balconies with tables and chairs
- Laundry facilities
- Bike storage
- Conference room and office space for visiting guests
The center, named after U.S. Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Utah’s longest-serving senator, honors his commitment to mentorship and intern development. The carriage house, named after Carolyn Barnes Gardner, will host various events.
Impact on Student Internships
Since 1965, the Hinckley Institute’s national program has offered over 100 full-time, paid internships annually in various sectors. The opening of the Hatch Center resolves a long-standing challenge: housing availability for interns. It allows the Hinckley Institute to accommodate up to 50 interns per semester, expanding access to this valuable program.
The first group of Hinckley Institute interns will start living at the center from the upcoming spring semester, benefiting from this dedicated, strategically located facility.
View the full press release at: https://attheu.utah.edu/students/university-of-utah-opens-hatch-center-in-washington-d-c/