Thirteen students from the University of Central Arkansas participated in the 54th Annual Midwest Model United Nations (MMUN) Conference in St. Louis on February 19-22, 2014. The UCA delegates, members of the UCA Model United Nations student organization, represented the countries of Nigeria and Spain at the conference.
Nearly 500 delegates from 40 colleges and universities – including Alma College, Kansas State University, Missouri State University, North Kentucky University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Western Illinois University, and Wichita State University – simulated the United Nations General Assembly, Economic & Social Council ECOSOC), Security Council, Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), World Food Programme (WFP), and other UN bodies.
UCA students representing Spain at the MMUN Conference in St. Louis were Juan Mayen (Head Delegate), Katelyn Wilkins, Jesus Torres, Kate Loyd, Kayla Close, Stephanie Gray, Brittaney Williams, Helena Burrow, and Lorenzo Bridgewater. Representing Nigeria were Logan Spurlock (Head Delegate), Jordan Kemp, Breanna Wilbanks, and Mallory Walker.
During the Closing Ceremonies on Saturday, February 22, the UCA delegation representing Spain was awarded one of five awards for Outstanding Delegation in the General Assembly Plenary Session, along with China (UW-Oshkosh), Germany (UW-Oshkosh), Indonesia (Alma College), and El Salvador (Midwestern State University). The UCA delegation representing Spain was also recognized as one of the top four delegations in the ECOSOC Plenary Session.
The keynote speaker during the Opening Session on Wednesday, February 19th was Ambassador Ian C. Kelly, U.S. Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna, Austria since March 2010.
Dr. Mark Mullenbach, associate professor and director of the International Studies program, travelled with the UCA students to St. Louis as the faculty adviser. Dr. Mullenbach has taken UCA students to the MMUN Conference in St. Louis since 2003. For more information about the AMUN, please contact Dr. Mullenbach at markm@uca.edu or 501-450-5693.
