Contact: Sammy McDavid
A team of Mississippi State University students earned an array of honors and achievements at a recent regional conference on international diplomacy.
The 10 students were part of the eighth annual Southern Regional Model United Nations Conference, a simulation of the New York-based association of world states created in the aftermath of World War II to work for international peace, security and cooperation.
Participants simulate the roles of delegates from U.N.-member states. "As with the annual Model Security Council we sponsor each year at Mississippi State, this conference is designed to expand students' proficiency in international affairs and diplomacy, as well as their skills in public speaking and research," said MSU adviser Rickey L. Travis.
Held shortly before Christmas in Atlanta, the 1997 conference drew some 450 participants. Most of the approximately 30 schools represented are in the Southeast, though delegations from as far away as the District of Columbia also took part.
"Like last year, our students 'representing' Iraq received the Distinguished Delegation Award, the second highest honor given," said Travis, an assistant professor of political science.
The "delegation from Iraq" included senior Doug G. Bedsaul of Decatur, Ala., graduate student Dennis E. Dauphin of Columbus, senior Kelly R. McDaniel of McComb, senior (and communication double major) Wahnee J. Sherman of Carthage, and senior Brad Sweet of Cleveland.
Additionally, sophomore Lacey L. Clark of Starkville, senior Michael J. Highfield and junior Mecklyn E. Morgan of Richton were selected to serve on major convention committees.
At the close of the three-day program, senior Michael E. Richardson of Vicksburg was elected to the top position of secretary-general for the 1998 convention. Lacey Clark and Patrick F. Shepard, a sophomore from Katy, Texas, were named to a group that will research and choose issues to be debated then.
All Mississippi State team members are political science majors except Michael Highfield, whose field is business administration.