The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Model United Nations (MUN) team succeeded in upholding their long-standing tradition of excellence at the 59th Midwest Model United Nations (MMUN) competition.
The competition was held from Feb. 19-22 and involved about 400 students from 36 universities from 14 states, representing 67 nations.
UW Oshkosh students represented six countries: Nigeria, Germany, Brazil, Singapore, Lebanon and Norway. Delegates were examined on their ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the topics, to represent their country’s views with precision, to build consensus support using negotiation and diplomacy, as well as to showcase their writing and public speaking skills.
UW Oshkosh delegates representing Nigeria orchestrated a rare double sweep, with all four members winning Delegates Choice Awards, granted by the vote of all participating students, as well as Outstanding Delegate Awards. Oshkosh delegates nearly swept the Delegates’ Choice Awards by receiving seven of the eight awarded in General Assembly committees. During the General Assembly Plenary, UW Oshkosh delegations received four Awards, the most received since 2015. Specifics about awards and delegates can be found below.
| *Here is a breakdown of the Awards received, all awards are achieved by efforts of the entire team* | |||||
| Nigeria | Matthew R. Clowney, head delegate, Economic & Finance Committee, Elkhorn
Awards: Outstanding Delegate, Delegates Choice, Outstanding in Plenary, & Position Paper |
Zoë S. Dahse, Disarmament Committee, Racine
Awards: Outstanding Delegate, Delegates Choice, & Outstanding in Plenary |
Stephanie L. Liechty, Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee, Oregon
Awards: Outstanding Delegate, Delegates Choice, & Outstanding in Plenary |
Zachary Q. Vetter, Special Political Committee, Mayville
Awards: Outstanding Delegate, Delegates Choice, Outstanding in Plenary, & Position Paper |
|
| Germany | Sydney J. Devitt, Special Political Committee, Crystal Lake, IL
Awards: Honorable Mention, Outstanding in Plenary |
Tabitha A. Engstrom, head delegate, Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee, Crystal Lake, IL
Awards: Honorable Mention, Delegates Choice, Outstanding in Plenary, & Position Paper |
Amy C. Gogin, Economic and Social Council, Monroe
Awards: Outstanding Delegate, Outstanding in Plenary, & Position Paper |
Coleman M. Korb, Economic & Finance Committee, Neenah
Awards: Outstanding Delegate, Delegates Choice, Outstanding in Plenary, & Position Paper |
Kirby M. Lawlis, Disarmament Committee, Stevens Point
Awards: Honorable Mention, Outstanding in Plenary, Delegates Choice, & Position Paper |
| Brazil | Matthew M. Dinse, Disarmament Committee, Oakfield
Awards: Honorable Mention in Plenary & Position Paper |
Peter G. Herrmann, Special Political Committee, West Bend
Awards: Outstanding Delegate & Honorable Mention in Plenary |
Josey, R. Strand, Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee, head delegate, New Berlin
Awards: Outstanding Delegate, Honorable Mention in Plenary, Position Paper |
Ryan Schauer, Economic & Finance Committee, Spencer
Awards: Honorable Mention in Plenary |
Elizabeth M. Tillou, Economic and Social Council, Juneau
Awards: Honorable Mention in Plenary |
| Singapore | Gabriel J. Anderson, Special Political Committee, Park Falls
|
Carrie R. Reed, head delegate, Disarmament Committee, Oshkosh | Patrick K. Remick, Economic & Finance, Hackettstown, NJ | Madison Signor, Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee, Oswego, IL | Michael C. Tanner, Economic & Social Council, Omro |
| Lebanon | Natalie P. Britt, head delegate, Economic & Finance Committee, Plymouth | Seth A. Gerstner, Special Political Committee, Watertown | Tannyr M. Locy, Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee, Hortonville | Grant P. Steffen, Disarmament Committee, Appleton
Awards: Outstanding Delegate |
|
| Norway | Michael A. Hettig, head delegate, Economic & Finance Committee Milwaukee
Awards: Honorable Mention in Plenary |
Sydnie H. Pollock, Special Political Committee, Brandon
Awards: Honorable Mention in Plenary |
Jonathon Shanks, Disarmament Committee, Rhinelander
Awards: Honorable Mention in Plenary |
Jasmine S. Washington, Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee, Salem
Awards: Honorable Mention in Plenary |
|
The opening and closing ceremonies of MMUN were marked by tributes recognizing UW Oshkosh’s own late Kenneth J. Grieb, who was a long-time Model UN adviser and MMUN contributor. It was a poignant moment for the Oshkosh team, especially those who knew Grieb as a professor and coach. These senior team members have endeavored to pass on his expertise in diplomacy and negotiation to the team’s next generation in their transition, and they dedicate much of their success this year to the lessons they learned from him and from the team’s alumni mentors.
The team is now deep in preparations for the April National Model UN competition in New York, NY. Their goal is to continue their tradition of excellence. If they win again, 2019 will mark the 35th year of UW Oshkosh being recognized as Outstanding at the national level.
For more information about Oshkosh MUN, email modelun@uwosh.edu.