By Jaclyn Bonner, HPU sophomore
BROWNWOOD – December 2, 2014 – The Howard Payne University Model United Nations (MUN) team recently represented HPU at the Stockholm MUN 10th Anniversary Conference at the Stockholm School of Economics in Sweden. Six of the 14 participating HPU students received awards at the conference, making HPU the most recognized university in attendance.
MUN is a simulation of the United Nations, giving students the opportunity to confer and network with peers across the globe, become aware of and involved with international issues and produce potential solutions to contemporary problems. HPU was the only university from the U.S. to participate in the conference, which hosted approximately 200 individuals from around the world.
Jason Murphy, a senior accounting and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major from Brownwood, and James Abbatiello, a sophomore communication major from Kerrville, competed as the delegation of the United Kingdom in the Economic and Social Council, receiving the coveted Best Delegation award.
Group leaders Cara DeLoach, a senior English and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major from San Angelo, and Mike McConnell, a senior political science, history and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major from Burleson, received the Honorable Mention commendation on the Security Council, on which they served as the delegation of the United Kingdom.
Senior Nicole Nehf, a political science, Spanish and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major from May, and senior Justin Moore, a biology major from Brownwood, garnered an Honorable Mention commendation on the Human Rights Council as the delegation of Germany.
Additional students representing HPU included Ivy Nichols, a junior from Richardson, and Gavin Paul Stewart, a junior from Flower Mound, in the Disarmament and International Security Council; Jaclyn Bonner, a sophomore from Lytle, and Sydney Spencer, a sophomore from Georgetown, in the Human Rights Council; Samuel Hoffman, a junior from Corpus Christi, and Ashley Moon, a junior from Waxahachie, in the Economic and Social Council; and Cody Perrin, a sophomore from Eastland, and Patton McClatchy, a sophomore from Bangs, in the European Council.
Students also had the opportunity to sightsee in Stockholm for two days before the conference began. They enjoyed touring attractions such as the Vasa Museum, home of a restored Swedish warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and is the only preserved seventeenth-century ship in the world, and Gamla Stan, the historic district, as well as indulging in traditional Swedish cuisine and culture.
Dr. Justin D. Murphy, HPU’s Brand professor of history, dean of the School of Humanities and director of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy, directs the MUN program.
“The Model United Nations students work hard throughout the year to represent HPU at conferences around the world,” he said. “I’m very proud of their efforts and their accomplishments. I am also very appreciative of the generous support from members of the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy Board of Directors who make opportunities and experiences such as this available for Academy and Howard Payne students.”
In February 2015, the team will travel to the Prague MUN Conference where Cara DeLoach will serve as Chair of the Security Council and Mike McConnel will serve as co-Chair of the Disarmament and International Security Committee.
“This will be the first time that HPU students have served as chairs or co-chairs at a major conference,” Dr. Murphy noted. “It is a great honor that reflects well upon Howard Payne University, the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy and the Model United Nations program.”
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Photo cutline: HPU’s Model United Nations team received six commendations at the Stockholm Model United Nations Conference. Pictured at Stockholm School of Economics are, back row from left, Cody Perrin, Justin Moore, Samuel Hoffman, Gavin Paul Stewart, James Abbatiello, Jason Murphy, Cara DeLoach and Mike McConnell. In the front row, from left, are Ashley Moon, Jaclyn Bonner, Nicole Nehf, Patton McClatchy, Ivy Nichols and Sydney Spencer.