WMU has 'top delegation' at model Arab League summit
April 12, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- The seven-member student delegation representing Western Michigan University at the April 3-6 Model Arab League national simulation in Washington, D.C., brought home the event's highest award.
The WMU group was named Outstanding Delegation of the 20th Model Arab League, besting 22 other delegations from such colleges and universities as the U.S. Air Force Academy, the University of Houston, Virginia Military Institute and Heidelberg University. The Model Arab League, sponsored by the National Council on U.S-Arab Relations, provides a simulation of an Arab League summit, in which students engage in role-playing as representatives of member states and hash out issues of concern in the Arab world.
This is the first time in the five years WMU has taken part in the national simulation that it has been named the Outstanding Delegation. WMU was also named the Outstanding Delegation at the regional simulation held at Michigan's Grand Valley State University in February.
"We've never won either regionals or nationals, so this was a first for us in both," says the delegation's advisor, Dr. James Butterfield, professor of political science and associate director of WMU's Diether H. Haenicke Institute for International and Area Studies.
The Outstanding Delegation is chosen by other MAL delegates and judges based on how well a team knows its country's positions on a variety of issues, represents those positions and shows a mastery of parliamentary procedure and the rules of debate. As it did in the regional simulation, WMU represented Jordan in the national event.
Also at the national simulation, WMU's Cara Mroczek was chosen the Outstanding Delegate for the Arab Economic Unity Council, on which she participated. Three other WMU students, Shanna Dietz, Isaac Hines and Ana Maria Faust, received Outstanding Delegate honorable mentions from their councils.
"The students spend an average of 15 hours total in council meetings at the Model Arab League national simulation," says Butterfield. "They'll have three or four agenda items to debate and draft resolutions on if they can get past the debates. It's very time intensive."
Team members, listed by state, hometown, year, major, awards (if any), and parents' names (if known) are:
Shanna R. Dietz of Davison, Mich., is a senior majoring in political science and Spanish and a member of the Lee Honors College. She received an Outstanding Delegate honorable mention in the national Model Arab League simulation held in Washington, D.C., and was named an Outstanding Delegate in the regional Model Arab League simulation held at Grand Valley State University. She is the daughter of Brad C. and Fonda L. Dietz.
Ana Maria Fransisca Faust-Mejia of Ladylake, Fla., is a junior majoring in international and comparative politics. She received an Outstanding Delegate honorable mention in the national Model Arab League simulation held in Washington, D.C. She is the daughter of Beatriz H. Faust-Mejia.
Nate A. Goding of Buchanan Dam, Texas, is a senior majoring in international and comparative politics and a member of the Lee Honors College. He was named an Outstanding Delegate in the regional Model Arab League simulation held at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich.
Isaac J. Hines of Berrien Springs, Mich., is a junior majoring in accountancy and international and comparative politics. He received Outstanding Delegate honorable mentions in both the national Model Arab League simulation held in Washington, D.C., and the regional Model Arab League simulation held at Grand Valley State University.
Andrea S. Lofquist of Marysville, Mich., is a junior majoring in international comparative politics, Spanish and environmental studies and a member of the Lee Honors College. She was named an Outstanding Delegate in the regional Model Arab League simulation held at Grand Valley State University. She is the daughter of John F. and Diane E. Lofquist.
Cara M. Mroczek of Marcellus, Mich., is a senior majoring in political science and environmental studies and a member of the Lee Honors College. She was named an Outstanding Delegate in the national Model Arab League simulation held in Washington, D.C., and received an Outstanding Delegate honorable mention in the regional Model Arab League simulation held at Grand Valley State University. She is the daughter of Walter J. and Judy A. Mroczek.
Mary A. Swarthout of Traverse City , Mich., is a junior majoring in international and comparative politics. She was named an Outstanding Delegate in the regional Model Arab League simulation held at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich. She is the daughter of Barbara Swarthout.
Media contact: Marie Lee, 269 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu