Model U.N. delegates got together for one last official event--posing for a group photo on the steps of Price Performance Center.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University welcomed 166 high school students who took part in “international diplomacy” during the university’s annual Model United Nations, April 14 and 15.
This year’s attendees included students from surrounding high schools including Central Mountain, Jersey Shore, Williamsport, Bellefonte, Bucktail, North Penn, Sugar Valley Rural Charter and Delaware Valley.
The Model UN is a program in which delegations draft and debate resolutions on contemporary international issues. The schedule includes a series General Assembly plenary sessions, committee meetings and caucuses. The students follow the Lock Haven Model United Nations Rules of Procedure.
Dr. Andrew Musila, assistant professor of political science, is director of the Lock Haven University Model UN program. Musila, a native Kenyan, noted that “Model UN provides a forum for the students to expand their strong leadership skills, as well as appreciate the tedious process of policy making on the global scale. Model UN program also showcases LHU, serving as a recruiting tool for potential students to the university.”
Musila’s comments were echoed by Thomas Schaffer, Model UN adviser from Delaware Valley High School, who stated, “Model UN allows students to discuss international issues and debate resolutions to bring about important change in a lively and educational format.”
The two-day event culminated in an awards ceremony.
After the awards presentation, Musila said, “The students did such a wonderful work presenting their well thought out ideas and being deferential to their colleagues. They obeyed the diplomatic rules of etiquette and procedure. At the end, it was not easy to make the decision on the winners in the five categories since everyone did a fantastic job representing their countries.”
Abe Stauffer, chaperone for the Central Mountain High School delegation, stated, “I have been coming to Model UN as a chaperone for years. Our Central Mountain students really enjoy the experience and learn a lot from it.” He added, “It is a great opportunity to get high school students on campus and enjoy the college life.”
Musila stated, “LHU is honored to continue this tradition next year when we will host another Model UN High School program.” The 2012 Model United Nations will be held at LHU March 29 and 30.
Students from Musila’s United Nations and International Relations Course (POLI 370) served as hosts and facilitators, and help select the award winners. They are Anthony J. Andrews; Luis Arenas, Jr; Casey E. Bock; Josh A. Bucior; Cassidy Charles; Tahra Clarke; Kody Doubrava; Sean Flannery; Kyle Furey; Joshua Gentzel; Jeffrey Gilliam; Alicia Carol Govens; Heath Himes; Thomas Howell; Corinna Irizarry; Thimporn Limaporn; Andrew McCune; Adam Neidig; Christina Norelli; Ryan Patishnock; Lisamarie Roberto.; Amanda Roberts; Cassandra Sherry; Stephen Stahl; Ryan Troch; James Ward; Jr. Christopher Welker; and Sabina Zuppert.
The Lock Haven University Model United Nations program is the largest academic outreach program to the high schools in the region conducted by the university. The program was begun by Dr. Jorge Mottet, a professor in the history department and later a Director of International Education at LHU. Dr. Lawrence T. Farley, professor of political science, took over the program when he arrived at LHU in 1979 and directed it until 2007, when Dr. Andrew Musila took over the program.