Model of Success

Competing against teams from 339 universities from around the world, Wright State was one of 15 schools to be recognized as having an outstanding Delegation and one of 30 to have presented an Outstanding Position Paper.

For the 32nd year in a row, the Wright State University Model United Nations team achieved the highest recognition possible at the national conference in New York City.

Competing against teams from 339 universities from around the world, Wright State was one of 15 schools to be recognized as having an outstanding Delegation and one of 30 to have presented an Outstanding Position Paper.

“The students performed well because of the hours of preparation they put in practicing speaking, writing and negotiating,” said Donna Schlagheck, Ph.D., professor and chair of political science, and faculty adviser for the team the last 26 years.

“There has been ongoing support from Wright State university and the College of Liberal Arts to make this opportunity possible for our students,” added Schlagheck who is also a member on the board of the National Collegiate Conference Association (NCCA).

This year, Wright State represented Japan. The team studied Japan’s foreign policy, using that information to give speeches, write resolutions and write a position paper.

The teams were evaluated based on their knowledge of the material, the effectiveness of their presentations and their ability to work with other groups to find compromise.

At the event, the 2,500 students formed 16 committees. At the end of the competition, each committee voted on the Outstanding Delegate from its group. Wright State students received the honor from four of the committees.

The Wright State team consisted of 35 students, both undergraduate and graduate students, who met during all of Winter Quarter and competed in the Spring Quarter.

Wright State’s head delegates for the 2011 team were Ryan O’Connor from the Raj Soin College of Business and Nicole Wise from the College of Liberal Arts. O’Connor and Wise taught the Model UN seminar prior to the conference and led the team on the trip.

The faculty advisers were Schlagheck and Vaughn Shannon, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science.