MSU takes third place at Midwest Model European Union

Morehead State University students recently took third place at the 31st annual Midwest Model European Union simulation, held at Indiana University in Bloomington this spring. This is MSU's best-ever overall performance at the Midwest Model EU.

Midwest Model EU allows students to simulate the real-life European Union, as they participate in the European Council, European Parliament, Foreign Affairs committee, Economics committee, Environment committee, and Justice and Home Affairs committee. MSU students represented Sweden in this year’s simulation with 17 other universities representing 26 out of 27 member countries in the European Union.

Taylor Bishop, a senior political science and history major from Greensburg, was voted first place in the European Council by his peers. In contrast, Peyton McWilliams, a senior political science major from Henderson, was voted second place in the European Parliament by her fellow students. MSU’s overall place was determined by the total number of votes received by all students.

Dr. Jason M. Adkins, coordinator of education abroad and associate professor of political science, advised the Model EU team.

“I’ve had the privilege of attending the Midwest Model EU Conference in Bloomington for over three years, and each year I’m consistently impressed by the performance and determination of MSU’s team,” Bishop said. “Whether it’s engaging in high-level discussions or holding their own against students from top universities across the nation, their resolve is always inspiring. This year, however, was especially meaningful to me, as the MSU team earned third place out of the numerous universities, academies, and colleges that participated.”

Five other MSU students also competed:

• Rexford Castle – a senior political science major from Meally
• Adam Egan – a senior, political science, Hillsboro
• Bryce Fletcher – a senior history major from Prestonsburg
• Nicholas Hazelett – a sophomore political science major from Paintsville
• Canaan Thacker – a senior political science major from Canada, KY

Three students (Bishop, Egan, and McWilliams) also participated in Adkins’ education abroad program to Sweden, Finland, and Estonia during spring break, where they learned more about the policies of those countries. 

“I am proud of the performance of our students in working with students from around the country,” Adkins said. “Their hard work studying issues paid off, and a few also were able to travel to Sweden to learn first-hand how its government works.”

The Department of History, Philosophy, Politics, Global Studies & Legal Studies sponsored the students' trip. 

For more info on Midwest Model EU, contact Adkins at jm.adkins@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2144 for more information on MSU faculty-led or other education abroad opportunities.

PHOTO CAPTION: MSU students won third place at the 31st annual Midwest Model European Union simulation.

Left to right: Peyton McWilliams, Taylor Bishop, Dr. Jason M. Adkins, Rexford Castle, Nicholas Hazelett, Canaan Thacker, Bryce Fletcher, and Adam Egan.