'Berg delegation excels at virtual Model UN conference

For the fifth time, Heidelberg University successfully hosted the Model United Nations of the Far West conference. This year’s conference, held April 8-11, was held virtually, after the conference was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. The 'Berg also served as the host institution in 011, 2013, 2017, 2019 and 2022.

This year’s theme was “Because It’s 2022: The Empowerment of Women and Girls.” Serving as conference moderator was ’21 alumna Katie Bauman. Current seniors Emma Baughman and Kayla Mullinax served as the Under-Secretary-General and Chef-de-Cabinet, respectively.

According to political science professor Dr. Marc O’Reilly, whose class culminates conference attendance annually, Heidelberg’s committee chairs performed very competently. The committee chairs included junior Isabel Chasney and former student Aubrey Ward, who served in the General Assembly; American Junior Year alumna Lina Weinert, General Assembly president; and ’20 alumna Allison Krebs, Security Council chair.

“Faculty advisors, the Model UN Board and the executive director were very pleased with the conference and praised Heidelberg for its work,” Marc said. “They very much liked the conference theme, which proved very popular with delegates.”

Heidelberg’s 17 delegates also excelled at the conference, earning the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for their stellar work representing New Zealand and Turkey. Head Delegates Noah Paris and Gavin Robison led their delegations very capably.

The hope is that the conference can return to person next year, for the first time since 2019. It is held each spring in San Francisco, and Heidelberg’s delegation typically travels there to participate in person.

“I very much look forward to our return to San Francisco,” Marc said. “Already, $9,000 has been raised for the 2023 conference, courtesy of the November 2021 #GivingTuesday fundraising event. … I hope to raise comparable funds during this year’s #GivingTuesday.”