Contact: Sammy McDavid
Mississippi State students again are among leaders at a regional conference that models the world's primary organization for promoting international peace and security.
At the 14th annual Southern Regional Model United Nations Conference, university senior Jennifer A. Phillips recently took a top honor on the basis of demonstrated diplomatic and leadership skills. A political science major from Starkville who was named a Harry S. Truman National Scholar earlier this year, Phillips was selected head barrister for a simulated U.N.-sponsored international criminal tribunal.
Three other MSU teammates--freshman Rachel Cox, also of Starkville, junior Thomas J. "T.J." Harvey of Foxworth and senior Tonya T. Neaves of Florence--also were recognized for their abilities by being elected top officers of various "diplomatic" delegations. Cox and Thornton are majoring in political science; Harvey, international business.
The four were among 16 from MSU and more than 500 from 40 schools in 10 states attending the 2003 Atlanta conference. In similar regional competition last year, MSU students finished among the top three teams.
Like the MSU-based Mississippi Model Security Council and similar organizations in other states, the U.N. simulations are designed to promote a better understanding among today's students of critical world issues.
In addition to advising the Mississippi State team, Hannah E. Britton coordinates the statewide Model Security Council program that has brought together state high school and university students for the past 24 years to simulate workings of the U.N. Security Council. Britton is an assistant professor of political science.
LOCAL EDITORS: Jennifer Phillips is the daughter of Judith Phillips of Starkville and Edward Phillips of Columbus; Cox, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cox; Tonya Thornton, the daughter of Debra Thornton of Florence and David Thornton of Belzoni; and Harvey, the son of Charlotte Wells of Foxworth and Thomas Harvey of Columbia.