Model UN / Alumni Fund Award / Hart-Milliken campaign / CMU campaign

Department works to broaden Model UN experiences

Assistant professor of political science David Jesuit is proud that his students were selected to participate in the American Model United Nations conference in Chicago for the past two years, but he believes it’s time to raise the bar.

“My students would love to attend the National Model UN conference where sessions are held at the UN headquarters in New York City,” said Jesuit. “Unfortunately, cost is a prohibitive factor because that program costs nearly three times as much as smaller Model UN conferences.”

Model UN is a simulation of debates in UN institutions, including the General Assembly, Security Council and International Court of Justice. Students prepare for the conference by learning about the economic, social, and political interests of the countries they represent and drafting proposals to improve or protect those issues. During the conference they participate in committee meetings with other delegates – following UN protocol – to decide which proposals to accept.

“We need to promote active learning and increase awareness about international problems here at CMU. The Model UN accomplishes both,” said Jesuit, who is the faculty advisor for CMU’s Society of the Model United Nations. He also teaches a course each semester to help students prepare for a Model UN conference.

“By participating in Model UN, my students gain a greater appreciation of the complex problems confronting the world today. They move beyond solutions that focus solely on what the U.S. is saying or doing and develop an international perspective. They also hone leadership skills as they seek to foster consensus among students representing the member states of the UN,” said Jesuit.

CMU students represented the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Iceland at the American Model UN in November. South Lyon senior Daniel Ramalia, who led the Korean delegation, says being a part of Model UN is more than just learning facts about the country you represent.

“We learned the interpersonal skills needed to succeed in diplomacy. A successful representative is able to step into a group, sometimes of up to 150 people, and not only participate in a discussion but lead it. Those are the types of learning experiences that you cannot simulate in classrooms.”

During the past year, Jesuit has appealed to CMU’s alumni and friends to help students raise money to attend Model UN conferences. Their contributions are used to pay for transportation, lodging and conference registration. Students pay for their own meals and personal expenses.

“I continue to be amazed at the personal growth I see in students as a result of the intense Model UN simulation,” said Jesuit. “I’ve learned that the quiet student in the corner might be our best leader. Our students just need opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.”

If you are interested in making a gift to support the CMU Model UN program, please contact the CHSBS Development Office at CHSBS@cmich.edu or 989-774-1788.

Photo caption: CMU students vote on a proposal as delegates representing Iceland at the American Model United Nations conference in Chicago.

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Student grateful for alumni gifts

Gifts from alumni and friends of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences are bringing Taylor freshman Amanda N. Draft a step closer to a career as a fiction writer.

Draft is the recipient of the 2006-2007 CHSBS Alumni Fund Award, which provides a renewable $1,000 scholarship to incoming freshman students who plan to major in one of the college’s academic departments.

Draft, who graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2006, will major in English and women’s studies. She aspires to become a writer with a focus on fiction.

“I feel very fortunate to have received the CHSBS Alumni Fund Award,” said Draft. “This scholarship, along with other monetary awards I received, helped to pay for almost all of my expenses this year. That allowed me to focus on going to school without worrying about how to pay for books and tuition.”

The CHSBS Alumni Fund Award was established in 2004. Applicants must have a minimum 3.4 high school grade point average and an ACT score of 25 or higher. The award is renewable for one year.

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Hart-Milliken campaign raises more than $500,000

Many organizations and institutions have begun to weave integrity into their core structure, whether it be part of the mission or vision statement (like CMU), or as a component of their core values system.  CMU’s vision statement is as follows:

“CMU will be a nationally prominent university known for integrity, academic excellence, research and creative activity, and public service.”

In the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, more than $500,000 has been raised in honor of two outstanding statesman, in recognition of their integrity and ethics. The Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics “honors two self-effacing, unassuming giants,” according to Matt Surrell, Hart-Milliken board member.

This new endowment is an example of our dedication to CMU’s vision and offers an opportunity to all CMU students to interact with and learn from those who represent the ideals set forth by these two men. Lessons learned will enable CMU students who enter politics a greater sense of how to succeed quickly with the values they need to serve the people and the democratic process.

The original goal – to raise $1 million – is well on track. By reaching $500,000 before the close of 2006, this endowed speaker series qualified for the special Board of Trustees endowment match, which will match – dollar for dollar – the endowment payout annually. This match will have a significant effect on the outcome and programming available to bring nationally-recognized speakers to CMU each year.

As director of development for the past two and a half years, it has been my honor and privilege to come to know Gov. and Mrs. Milliken and several Hart family members, including Janey Hart. These people are truly wonderful, and I am thankful to those of you who have contributed to the campaign thus far.

We still have $500,000 to raise, so if you’ve not yet become involved in this initiative, please consider a gift to help us reach our goal. For more information on the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics, please contact CHSBS at (989) 774-3341 or CHSBS@cmich.edu.

Sincerely,

Alison Miller

Photo caption: CMU hosted a reception to promote the fundraising campaign for the Hart-Milliken endowed speaker series on Mackinac Island August 29. Among the attendees were (seated) Jane Hart and Mayor Margaret Doud; (standing, from left) Hart-Milliken board members Matthew Surrell, Michael Hart and Dennis Cawthorne; CHSBS dean Gary Shapiro; and CMU President Michael Rao.

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CMU celebrates successful campaign

Photo caption: CMU Board of Trustees member Roger Kesseler, Mike Leto, vice president of development and alumni relations, and CMU President Michael Rao celebrate the success of CMU’s New Vision of Excellence Campaign during a home football game in September.

CMU celebrated the successful conclusion of its history-making New Vision of Excellence Campaign with a reception and community lunch in September.

The five-year campaign – the first since CMU’s founding more than 110 years ago – far exceeded the initial campaign goal of $50 million by raising $78 million.

Gifts from alumni, faculty, staff and friends of CMU, including many from the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, provided funding in four critically important areas targeted by the campaign: student scholarships, faculty and program endowments, enhanced campus environment, and ongoing and special programs.

“Central Michigan University sincerely appreciates the many generous donations made during this campaign,” said President Michael Rao. “CMU increasingly holds distinction as one of Michigan’s most vibrant public universities, thanks in no small part to our growing legacy of donor support and endowment.”

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