The UF Model United Nations visited the Big Apple and came back with a big prize.
The eight-student UF MUN team took home Best Small Delegation and six individual awards at the Columbia Model United Nations in New York competition held last week.
The conference is one of the most competitive crisis-style conventions on the circuit, and UF’s team competed against more than 30 schools from all over the country, said political science senior Christopher Joyce, 22, UF MUN president.
At the conference, the delegates simulated crisis scenarios while assuming the role of fictional and historical characters. Joyce said attending the conference is about $150 to $250 out-of-pocket for students, and Student Government reimburses a portion of that amount.
UF MUN beat the Florida International University Model UN team, who won Best Small Delegation last year and was its biggest competition, said Troy Robinson, a 21-year-old political science and history senior.
“We were going into the competition with the express goal of coming back with a delegation award,” said Robinson, vice president of external affairs.
Joyce said Best Small Delegation is one of the most prestigious awards a traveling team can win.
“We’re finally going to get some recognition on the circuit,” he said.
A version of this story ran on page 8 on 10/8/2013 under the headline "UF Model UN wins best small delegation"
