Converse Delegation Earns Top Award at National Conference for 11th Consecutive Year

For the 11th consecutive year, the Converse College delegation to the National Model Arab League earned the Outstanding Delegation Award, the organization’s highest honor at the national forum at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. April 6-9.

Dr. Joe Dunn, faculty advisor for the Converse delegation, was presented with the Model Arab League Lifetime Achievement Award, a citation that has been given only three previous times during the 25 years of the program. The previous recipients included the founder of Model Arab League and the Permanent Ambassador of the Arab League to the United States.

The debate competition, which is modeled after League of Arab States parliamentary procedure, is a simulation in which students write, debate and pass resolutions on issues of concern in the Arab world. Students win awards in their respective committees based upon their knowledge of their country’s positions and their argumentation, negotiation and consensus-building talents.

Representing Iraq, Converse competed against 22 other colleges and universities including Northeastern University, Ohio State University, George Mason University and the U.S. Military Academy.

Sarah Walters of Midlothian, VA was selected to serve as a national chair for the 2007 model.

With the national award, the Converse Model Programs have earned Outstanding Delegation Awards in all three of their competitions including Model NATO and the Southeast Model Arab League. “These fine young women continue to bring recognition, honor, and distinction to Converse. For me personally, the esteem with which Converse is held nationally, exalted might be more accurate, is so gratifying,” said Dr. Dunn. “It is a product not only of the intellect and talents of these young women but equally by their professional manner, dignity, and never-failing courteous diplomacy and charm. I always bask in the unceasing compliments that I hear about them virtually every hour of the day during competitions.”

Individual committee award winners at the national Model were:

• Courtney Clark of Spartanburg, SC and Katie Moore of Moore, SC for their work with the Joint Defense Council; • Tina Rohner of Kaufbeuren, Germany and Sarah Moser of Mooresville, NC for their efforts with the Political Council;
• Sarah Walters and Danielle Peregoy of Aiken, SC for leading the Social Council;
• Melanie Harrison of Houston, Texas and Anne Fagge of High Point, NC for their work with the Environmental Council.

Holly Jordan of Ridgeley W. VA earned a special citation for Best Chair during the simulated crises situation while serving as the Chief Justice of the Arab Court of Justice. She also received a verbal commendation for the diversity of her roles during her three-year career at the National Model.

Kelsey Nichols of Matthews, NC was named Best Advocate in the Arab Court of Justice and Elizabeth Mayes of Mayesville, SCearned Honorable Mention Best Chair.

Mallory Beckett of Easley, SC and Kate McCormick of Henderson, KY served as chairs at the Model. McCormick was elected by her peers to serve as assistant secretary-general for the 2007 model but declined so that she could concentrate on different roles next year, including the secretary-general of the Southeast Model.