Model UN team wins at Harvard

www.avionnewspaper.com Crystal Schneider Staff Reporter

The name of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University echoed in the Halls of Harvard University as delegates from the ERAU Model UN team received awards among over 2,500 of the best Political Science, Pre-Law and International Relations majors in the world.

Last weekend, the Model United Nations team led by Dr. Glenn Dorn, participated and excelled in one of the world’s largest, most difficult and prestigious academic competitions, the Model United Nations conferences at Harvard University.

ERAU Students represented the nation of Armenia and were among the strongest delegates in they eyes of judges. Most of ERAU’s delegates held positions within the General Assembly.

Thomas Tanner III and Mark Smalley, debating arms reduction of tactical nuclear weapons in the Disarmament and International Security council, a very difficult committee and controversial issue, were active in drafting several resolutions and critiquing weaker ones.

Denny Henry and Kevin Feather discussed globalization and cultural imperialism in the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural committee. Kevin worked hard to bring consensus on one of the most controversial issues being debated in the world community today. He was a key player in the drafting of a resolution and brought the entire committee to consensus and success in resolving the issue.

Stephanie Phelps, examining state sponsored terrorism in the Special Political and Decolonization committee, showed outstanding leadership, not only in her committee but while working with newer members in their committees as well. Andrew Wittstrom also participated and excelled in this committee.

Judy Nash, in the Legal Committee debated the topic of illicit global financial activity. She was active and contributed significantly in the nuanced language of a resolution in a committee that demands precision.

First time member Brian Smith performed well on the topic of infectious disease within the World Health Organization. With only two weeks to prepare for this conference, it was immediately evident that he would be an asset to the team after only a short time.

In the specialized agencies, Head Delegate Jessica Johnson dealt with the crisis of corruption of Asia in the Economic and Social commission for Asia and the Pacific. Jessica is one of the strongest delegates from ERAU and at only her second conference was delivering excellent speeches and providing leadership and guidance to her committee.

Crystal Schneider aided in bridging the digital divide in the World Summit on the Information Society.

“Dominating her committee,” Dorn said, “Crystal had an all around exceptional performance, creating a strong resolution and exposing the flaws in others. Every speech was strong and well delivered.”

Her winning of an Outstanding Delegate award at Harvard National Model United Nations, after only having participated in one other college level conference was proof that this was one of the strongest delegations the school has ever sent to competition.

“I can’t underestimate the significance of an Embry-Riddle student winning an award in this conference. Two people that won this award when I was in college are now 3rd and 4th level state department officials at the age of 35. The best at this competition are the best in the country and among the finest in the world,” said Dr. Dorn in response to the team winning this award.

Preparation for this event includes months and in some cases even years of an intensive study regime of in-depth research on the policy, current events and history of every nation in the world. The participants go through rigorous training on political debate and parliamentary procedure.

All of this paid off however, as students from Embry-Riddle did as well as, and in many cases outperformed some of the top schools in the field. Among these were schools such as Yale University, West Point Military Academy, University of Pennsylvania, Pace University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the United States Coast Guard Academy, and George Washington University. Schools participating from outside the United States included universities from countries such as China, Venezuela, England, Canada, Mexico and Denmark.

This group of motivated and driven students gave up five days out of busy engineering, pilot and ROTC schedules to compete in the arena of experts in a field opposite to their own. They spent 20 plus hours in committee sessions and countless more during lunch and late nights drafting resolutions and working papers or doing last minute research.

Dr. Dorn said, “Model United Nations is the training ground for future leaders of the world, students who will one day be running nations. Most of these students train for years and this conference is the proving ground for their careers.”

“It is a tribute to the students at Embry-Riddle that pilots and engineers can compete, let alone take home awards,” says Secretary General Jessica Johnson. Many of the delegates reported that almost everyone at the conference was surprised to see them there, let alone doing well at something they spend their college careers training for.

The attendance and performance would not have been possible but for the support and efforts of many. The ERAU Model U.N. thanks Chancellor Price, the Campus Council, and the Annual Fund for their financial support, which made it possible for ERAUMUN to represent Embry-Riddle at such a prestigious and internationally recognized event.

The team would also like to extend their appreciation for the efforts of Suzanne Spurgeon, Roderick Clark, and Dr. Glenn Dorn, without which the success of the delegation would not have been possible.

Finally, the hard work and countless hours of preparation put in by the delegates must be recognized.

“They truly performed above and beyond all hopes or expectations considering illness and injury.” Says Stephanie Phelps who single handedly organized and coordinated almost every stage of this trip.

In the words of the Under-Secretary General, Judy Nash: “We went, we learned a lot, and we kicked Yale’s butt (at least in Crystal’s committee).” And let no one forget, as Brian Smith pointed out: “We’re engineers!”

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