Special Section: Homecoming 2012 - Friends University

Then and NowMODEL U.N. TRADITION TEACHESSTUDENTS LIFE-LONG LESSONSBY SARA ORNELASFor more than 40 years, Friends University has been part of a tradition of discourseand leadership – sending hundreds of students through the ranks of a mock UnitedNations. Students discuss, debate, research and propose solutions to global issues whileposing as delegates from member countries of the actual U.N.The Model U.N. program began at the University after Philip Nagley, professor ofhistory and political science, attended a study tour in 1963 at the U.N. in New York.Two years later, Nagley led 32 students to New York for their first Model U.N. experience.“We were able to go to New York, Harvard, St. Louis and Oklahoma,” said DanaSeifert, G’70.C.G. Chacko, who was also a faculty advisor from 1967 through the mid-’80s, saidstudents won several awards.“The whole purpose was to develop leadership,” Chacko said. “The students ofModel U.N. became great leaders in the community, politics, law and teaching.”One such leader is Brooke (Bennett) Aziere, G’00, who attended the Harvard NationalModel U.N. in 1999 and 2000. Aziere is currently a partner at Foulston Siefkinlaw firm in Wichita. She said Model U.N. participants represented a country’s needs,position and goals “regardless of whether or not we agreed with a position.“The experience gave me some perspective on what it would be like not to live inthe best nation in the world – to live in a third-world country ravaged by civil wars andfamines,” she said. “It’s very humbling, and it changed my worldview.”“The most important thing I learned,” said junior Joshua Hicks, “was to voice myopinion and take everybody else’s opinion into consideration.”Senior Doug Murdoch “had nothing but positive experiences. It was always a lot offun to hang out with, debate with, and get to know fellow undergraduates interested ininternational relations.”Aaron Gurley, G’12, credits Model U.N. with helping him get a job working for thedirector of National Security and International Policy at a think tank in Washington,D.C., where he researched and crafted papers regarding international policies towardterrorism and the repercussions their actions create across borders.Brittany Roembach, G’12, says everything she learned is applicable to her currentcareer as an associate producer at KWCH in Wichita.“It’s one of the best outlets for students interested in international affairs,” she said.“It’s something that not only teaches students about parliamentary procedure, researchand debate, but also teaches you how to fight for something. That’s a huge lesson in life.It’s easy to have a dream. The hardest part is putting up the fight to get it done.”Dana Seifert and husband Roger, G’70, also believe in the benefits of Model U.N.– so much so that they donated to help fund the 2012 trip. With funds raised, the studentswere able to spend an extra day at the national competition.“We found the whole thing to be a very important program,” Dana said. “We thinkit’s a valuable activity, and we encourage others to do it.”Professor Philip Nagley (standing) establishedthe University’s Model U.N. program.In 1965 Mary Kay Armstrong and RobertMinter served as the secretary-general andpresident of the general assembly.Students from more than 450 high schoolsand colleges discuss disarmament, internationaltrade and development, the VietnamWar, and more at the University’s fifth annualModel U.N. in 1969. The discussion was heldat the Broadview Hotel.Karl Watson, Brittany Roembach and MichaelEvenson represent the Republic of Korea ingeneral assembly at the 2011 Midwest ModelU.N. conference. The students addressedSouth Korean economic development.ATTEND THE MODELU.N. REUNIONLearn more about the Saturday,Oct. 20, reunion on page 19.PHOTO FROM “FRIENDSUNIVERSITY:1898-1973”COURTESY PHOTO PHOTO FROM “FRIENDSUNIVERSITY:1898-1973”F A L L 2 0 1 231