December 14, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (12/14/15) - The Model United Nations team from East Texas Baptist University garnered the "Outstanding Delegation Award" at the American Model United Nations (AMUN) Conference held in Chicago, Nov. 21-24. The team was comprised of seven students who represented Cambodia in the General Assembly Plenary.
The ETBU delegation competed against 120 other schools, such as Kansas State University, Indiana University, University of Notre Dame, Baylor University, and University of Arizona.
"I am so proud of our students' performance in this year's conference," said ETBU Professor of Political Science and Model UN advisor Dr. Israel Nandamudi. "We have proven that we are bar none to any university in the nation. At times, people underestimate the students of a small private Christian school, but we have proved that our students can compete with any university or college in the nation and win awards."
According to Dr. Nandamudi, "Model United Nations is a big simulation of the actual United Nations bodies. Schools represent different countries and the students assume roles of ambassadors to the United Nations. They assemble in various committees to discuss current issues on the multilateral agenda. Students experience the ways in which the international community deals with economic and environmental concerns, human rights abuses, disarmament and political conflicts, and many other global problems."
Seven students comprised the Model UN team from ETBU. Junior Sara Corley, a third-year Political Science major from Carthage, served as the Head Delegate. The other members were Michael Wooddell of White Oak, international student Aiden Gonzales of Bangkok, Jessica Burrell of Spurger, James Walker of Carthage, Chad Herring of Petal, Miss., and Zachary Smithee of Lindale.
"As head delegate of the team, my role was to be the coordinator, secretary, and 'mentor' of all things regarding Model UN," Corley said. "I sent our emails, ordered business cards, helped with papers, and was the representative to the American Model United Nations administration for ETBU."
As the team made its presentations, they were judged on their persuasive speeches, diplomatic skills, resolutions writing skills, caucusing abilities and their overall leadership roles in passing resolutions.
When the announcement came that ETBU had won the "Outstanding Delegation Award" Corley shared, "I instantly felt relief. We worked extremely hard during the conference in order to be recognized by the other delegations and AMUN staff. Thus, it was a relief to know that our hard work had paid off."
The Model United Nations experience provides a unique learning experience for participants. "The students gain a clearer insight into dealing with significant world problems, such as international terrorism, environmental issues, world poverty, and hunger. They will also sharpen their analytical, communicative, and leadership skills; and gain confidence in their abilities to function as a student diplomat." Dr. Nandamudi said.
This is the second time in school history that an ETBU team has won the "Outstanding Delegation Award" at the AMUN Conference.