January 21, 2010 by Shannon Otrowsky NMSU Round Up
Dinner aims to put NMSU on the map
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Model U.N. team.
To any student interested in international relations, government or politics, the Model United Nations Team dinner is one meal that should not be missed.
Along with the New Mexico State University Government Department and International Relations Institute, the NMSU Model United Nations Team will host a benefit dinner Wednesday at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
Not only will there be various international cuisines to feast upon, globally renowned speaker Ambassador Thomas Pickering will be the guest presenter of the night.
According to a Model U.N. press release, Pickering has served as U.S. ambassador to numerous countries, including the Russian Federation, India and El Salvador.
NMSU Model U.N. Faculty Adviser Yosef Lapid said Pickering has served as one of our most successful ambassadors at the U.N.
“His presence elevates the caliber of our event,” Lapid said, “and helps ensure greater community interest and participation.”
Andrea Peterson, president and four-year veteran of the NMSU Model U.N. Team, said she is thrilled to host the event with such an honorable figure present.
“As an Ambassador for the U.N., he has held such a high position which is something we are all aspiring to be,” Peterson said.
Peterson said Model U.N. banquets in the past have been much smaller, so featuring an acclaimed guest speaker, such as Pickering, is greatly appreciated.
“We are hoping to give NMSU a name after this dinner,” Peterson said, “and this is our thank-you to the community for the support we have received.”
The Model U.N. Team has been awarded Outstanding Position Paper and has won first-place Outstanding Delegation Awards the past two years, according to the press release. The club has become progressively more successful, thanks to many changes the team has made, Peterson said.
“Pre-conference preparation has increased, and so has our mediation skills regarding policies,” Peterson said. “Our main goal is to leave our American identity at the door and to figure out how to best represent our country.”
The team’s next competition is March 30, and Peterson said during the spring semester the team has been getting down to business, writing position papers and discussing foreign policies.
As for the benefit, Peterson said she is looking forward to hearing what Pickering has to say, because he is expected to address the United States’ role in the U.N. and whether the country should be involved.
“Anyone interested in the Model U.N. club should attend,” Peterson said. “Plus, students get in for a reduced price.”
The doors open at 5:15 p.m., and the reception will begin at 6 p.m., with a dinner and silent auction to follow. Tickets are available for $60 per person and $45 for students and can be purchased at www.iri.nmsu.edu.
Shannon Ostrowsky is a staff writer and can be contacted at trunews@nmsu.edu.
