The University of Scranton Students Win Awards at European Union Simulation

    University of Scranton students distinguished themselves by winning several awards at the 16th annual Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation held recently in Washington D.C. The students represented Demark in simulations of European Union parliamentary meetings and debates at the intercollegiate competition.

    Scranton students who received awards for their work were seniors Deirdre Strehl, Ambler, for Best European Union Commissioner; Carl Cervi, Dublin, Ireland, for Best Prime Minister; Michael George, Lawrenceville, N.J., for Best Agriculture Minster; and Alyson Semon, Ridgewood, N.J., for the Emilio Rodriguez Award for Best Parliamentarian in the Plenary Session.

    According to Gretchen Van Dyke, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at The University of Scranton, who includes the simulation experience as a part of the European Union course she teaches, several Scranton students also emerged as leaders within their respective European Union Parliamentary Party Groupings.

    “The students worked hard to build coalitions around Danish positions on the range of issues involved in the Parliamentary debates and Ministerial discussions,” said Dr. Van Dyke. “The students were particularly diligent in trying to raise European Union standards to Danish standards, especially when it came to incentives for organic farming and wind energy.”

    Other University of Scranton students participating in the competition were seniors Lauren Albracht, Lancaster, Jessica Bellacero, Scarsdale, N.Y., Maria Bertha, Scranton, John Byrd, Pittston, Kaitlin Dinota, East Islip, N.Y., Colleen Kenney, Hicksville, N.Y., Matthew Lecours, Weatogue, Ct., Lindsey Simmons, Scranton, Paul Stack, Suffern, N.Y., and Marc Worozbyt, Dunmore; and juniors Ryan Molitoris, Plains, and Joseph Quinn, Catonsville, Ct.

    The students also met with Danish Minister Counselor Anders M. Klöcker during their visit to Washington, D.C.

    This is the 12th year that students from The University of Scranton have participated in the Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation.