Award-winning UIUC Model European Union Finishes Season with Big Wins at Indiana University

Photo courtesy of Neil Vander Most

On April 22nd, the Model European Union Team for the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign finished its 2016-2017 season with more awards and recognition at the Midwest Model European Union tournament at Indiana University. The team, organized by the European Union Center and fully funded through its “Getting to Know Europe” grant from the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, was recognized as the second best team in the tournament, competing against 23 other teams from 17 different institutions. In addition to its group recognition, the following Illinois students were recognized for their superior work in their councils:

• Emilee McArdle (Global Studies, French and Italian) – 3rd Place – Environment Council
• Sonam Kotadia (Global Studies, Germanic Languages and Literatures) – 3rd Place – Justice and Home Affairs Council
• Benjamin Norton (Mathematics) – 4th Place – Economics and Finance (EcoFin) Council
• Justin Tomczyk (Political Science) – 5th Place – European Council

This recognition builds upon the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s success at the University of Pittsburgh’s 2017 Undergraduate Model EU Tournament. Held February 24-25, Justin Tomczyk was also recognized as one of five best speakers at that event.

The European Union Center’s Model EU program is one opportunity available to students interested in studying the European Union at UIUC. It works particularly well together with the EU Center’s new Five Year BA/MA program, which offers undergraduates the opportunity to take graduate courses during their senior year, opening up the possibility for these students to earn a MA in EU Studies in one year instead of two. Model EU allows these and other undergraduates the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the EU in an exciting, strategic environment. Additionally, the interpersonal experiences and public speaking skills developed through participating in Model European Union events can be applied beyond the classroom in a variety of settings after graduation.

The European Union Center is very proud of the excellent work its Model EU team has done this year, and looks forward to representing the academic excellence and European expertise of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign next year! The European Union Center will again be offering courses that incorporate Model EU next year, namely EURO 199 (Fall 2017) and EURO 490 (Spring 2018). Students are encouraged to enroll and participate in this valuable learning experience!