Iowa State University teams representing France and Poland tied for 3rd place at the Midwest Model European Union (MMEU) held at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in April.
MMEU is an educational simulation of the Council of the European Union and its ministries, designed to help college and university students learn about the functioning of the European Union through a hands-on simulation where team members play the roles of prime ministers and presidents, commissioners, ministers. , and diplomats, who spent three days discussing policy, resolving differences, building compromises and charting the course of European integration.
MMEU is attended by over 160 students each year from 37 different colleges and universities. This annual competition began in 1993 and is the second oldest of its kind in North America. Students take on the personality of a European Head of State or high-ranking official in the administration of a European nation. They work in a team of seven people who must present a united and coherent management.
France's team consisted of: Andrew Fackler (Political Science '17), Mariam Remus (Political Science '17), Dex Nash (Linguistics '18), Steven Valentino (Political Science '18), Rizal Ucok (Political Science '20 ), John Kitten (political science '18), and Joey Tompulis (history '18).
Poland's team consisted of: Kathryn Walker (Political Science '20), Mart-E Broadnax (Political Science '20), Paul Lubberstedt (Political Science and Computer Science '18), Alexander Sandeen (Political Science '19), Araceli Lopez (political science '20), Larry Chu (political science '20), Jessica Holtkamp (psychology '19), Rob Bingham (political science '19).
Tompulis also won an individual award for “Best General Manager”.
Participants from Iowa State begin preparing for the conference eight to ten weeks in advance and demonstrate excellent skills in the areas of diplomacy, public speaking, cooperation and exorcism. Students developed and demonstrated a range of knowledge about European politics, as well as current events and issues facing the people of Europe. Prizes are awarded based on the team's effectiveness in passing legislation, character work for their country and the best explanation of the European Union.
Ellen Pirro, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science, is a faculty member and consultant for the ISU European Union Standard.
Published: May 4, 2017
