Model EU Club earns awards at Midwest Model European Union Summit
Morehead State University's Model European Union (EU) Club participated in this year's 30th Anniversary Midwest Model EU Summit at the University of Indiana in Bloomington in April. A total of 11 students representing Hungary and Bulgaria debated on essential legislation impacting the region and its people within the EU framework.
Two members of the MSU team, Taylor Bishop and Nathan Walden, brought home top awards. Bishop, a junior history and political science double major from Greensburg, was honored with the Top Outstanding Delegate Award in his chamber, representing Hungary in the European Commission. Walden (Class of 2024), from Lexington, earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and history, and was recognized as the second runner-up, representing Hungary in the European Council.
"Model EU has presented me the opportunity to flex the skills I learned through Morehead's Political Science program," said Walden, who also serves as president of the MSU Model EU Club. "I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to not only attend but lead Morehead's Model EU team."
The Model EU Summit is an annual conference that requires students from universities across the nation to simulate the functions and decision-making processes of the European Union. To mark the 30th Anniversary of the Midwest Conference, 17 Universities with over 140 students gathered in Bloomington for the simulation event.
"The Model EU Summit offers a unique platform for students from diverse fields to converge and acquire invaluable communication and negotiation skills," Bishop said. "These skills are not only beneficial for their academic pursuits but also for their future careers, making the Model EU Club a valuable addition to their university experience."
Dr. James Masterson, chair of the Department of History, Philosophy, Politics, Global & Legal Studies, said the goal of MSU's Model EU Club, along with MSU's Model UN Club, is to provide students from multiple disciplines the opportunity to learn about international issues while engaging with expert faculty in the field. He and Dr. Jason Adkins, assistant professor of political science, serve as the club's co-advisors.
"Voluminous research by Dee Fink and many others has demonstrated the effectiveness of active learning techniques such as simulations and role-playing exercises," Masterson said.
"Model EU gives students an opportunity to discuss and work through important issues," Adkins added. "They also find ways to compromise on hard-to-solve issues, just like world leaders and diplomats must do on a daily basis. Compromise is often seen as being weak, but in reality, it means finding a way forward to help the world."
Students who wish to participate in the MSU Model EU/UN Club next year may contact Masterson at j.masterson@moreheadstate.edu.
To explore programs in the Department of History, Philosophy, Politics, Global Studies & Legal Studies, email hpgl@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2655.
Photo, top of page: MSU's 2024 Model EU Delegation (left to right): Dr. Jason Adkins (co-advisor), Nathan Walden (Class of 2024, Lexington), Jerry Slone (junior, Paintsville), Cannan Thacker (senior, Canada), Will Cox (Class of 2024, Morehead), Rexford Castle (senior, Paintsville), Bryce Fletcher (senior, Prestonsburg), Peyton McWilliams (junior, Henderson), Taylor Bishop (junior, Greensburg), Calleigh Gray (junior, Elizabethtown), Noah Sewall (Class of 2024, Harrodsburg), Matthew Grace (Class of 2024, Morehead), Dr. James Masterson (co-advisor)
Photo, lower: MSU's Best Delegate winners (left to right): Nathan Walden (European Council, Third Place) and Taylor Bishop (European Commission, First Place)
