Six Ouachita students recognized at virtual Midwest Model United Nations

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March 05, 2021 - Abby Turner

Cole Alexander (left) and Taryn Bewley (right)

Six Ouachita Baptist University student delegates attended and received recognition for their respective roles at the Midwest Model United Nations simulation, held virtually Feb. 19-21 this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All six participants received recognition this year, either through individual award or as part of a delegation; Ouachita’s delegates included Cole Alexander, Taryn Bewley, Faith Moore, Anna Roussel, Rylie Slone and Spencer Worth.

“In my 27 years at Ouachita, these were the best results achieved by our delegations,” said Dr. Kevin Brennan, professor of political science. “Five students represented Mexico, while one student represented Uruguay.”

Moore, a senior political science major from Marianna, Ark., was awarded Outstanding Delegate for her work on the General Assembly’s Third Committee, representing Mexico. Roussel, a senior communications & media/strategic communications and political science double major from Searcy, Ark., won Outstanding Delegate for her work on the Economic and Social Council, representing Mexico. Slone, a senior political science and Christian studies/Christian missions double major from Bella Vista, Ark., won awards for both Outstanding Position Paper and Outstanding Delegate on the Economic and Social Council, representing Uruguay. Worth, a senior political science major from Cabot, Ark., was awarded Outstanding Position Paper on the General Assembly’s First Committee, representing Mexico.

Faith Moore (left) and Anna Roussel (right)

The Mexico representatives also received Outstanding General Assembly delegation. In addition to Moore and Worth, Ouachita students included in that delegation included Alexander, a senior political science and business administration double major from Forney, Texas, and Bewley, a senior political science and psychology double major from Conway, Ark.

Midwest Model U.N. is an all-college simulation which provides students with the opportunity to practice politics and other skills through the role of acting as a diplomat. Each student delegate serves on a committee during the simulation to discuss different topics and advocate for policies to include in resolutions for their country.

Ouachita’s Model U.N. Experience is a three-hour class offered to students to learn how the United Nations functions and about the country they will represent, focusing specifically on both the country’s foreign and domestic politics. Students prepare throughout the semester for the simulation by delivering presentations and speeches in class along with participating in practice simulations.

“They learn about the topics they debate and try to address in a manner that is consistent with their country’s national interest,” Brennan said. “Simultaneously, they learn general skills, such as negotiating, role-playing and extemporaneous speaking.”

Rylie Slone (left) and Spencer Worth (right)

This was Moore’s first experience at Midwest Model U.N. She said the simulation gave her a unique “opportunity to step up and lead within her group.”

“One of the most significant skills I learned from this experience is simply how to better interact and communicate with people who express different views from my own,” Moore said. “Most importantly, I learned how to do so while exhibiting respect for others.”

“It was quite a bit of work, but the diligence and preparation of the whole team truly paid off,” she added.

Rylie Slone participated in Midwest Model U.N. for the second time this year.

“I chose to take the course again because I truly enjoyed the simulation and what I was able to learn,” Slone said. “As I begin to transition from college to law school in the fall, I know that real-life learning experiences like this are what I will be the most thankful for.”

For more information, contact Dr. Kevin Brennan at brennank@obu.edu or (870) 245-5346.