Luther College graduate will become the "Secretary of the U.S. Senate"

A Luther College graduate will hold the top administrative post in the U.S. Senate when the new Republican majority takes control next month.

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Tuesday announced the appointment of 1999 Luther College graduate Julie Adams as "Secretary of the Senate."

Adams took a break from working toward obtaining a teaching certificate after graduating from Luther in 1999 to help run Iowa Congressman Jim Leach's congressional re-election campaign.  She enjoyed the experience, so she headed to Washington, D.C. after the election.  Adams joined McConnell's office in 2003, and from 2007-2009, served as a spokesperson in the press office of First Lady Laura Bush before returning to the McConnell office as Director of Administration.
 
"Julie is being appointed to a position of great trust and responsibility," McConnell said. "And I'm confident that she will continue serving this institution and our colleagues with the skill and professionalism she's demonstrated throughout her career in both the Senate and White House."
 
"I am honored and humbled to be appointed Secretary of the Senate and look forward to continuing the important work that this office – and its talented and committed staff – performs," Adams said.

The Secretary of the Senate has the responsibility of maintaining the day-to-day functions of the Senate through a number of legislative, financial and administrative duties, as well as coordinating two of the largest technology initiatives in Senate history -- bringing state-of-the-art efficiency to the management of legislative and financial information.