Academics
Real Stories
If It's Tuesday, I Must Be Belgium
- Student:
- Whitney Gorton (Class of 2008)
- Major:
- Political Science & English
- Involvement at Whittier:
- Model United Nations, Academic Honor Societies, co-founder for Whittier chapter of Students Taking Action Now:Darfur (STAN:D)
Part of Whittier's curriculum for 37 years, Model United Nations (MUN) is a program where students simulate the activities of the United Nations and its affiliated organizations, from battling to assert their assigned country's position, to arguing with other delegates in committee, to making "back room deals" as legislation is drafted and re-drafted. Over the years, Whittier's MUN program has grown from just a few students when it was originally offered, to more than 35 in 2007, and several have gone on to successfully pursue internships or full careers either within the United Nations itself or with other global human rights organizations. Overseeing Whittier's program is Mike McBride—political science professor and a 14-year consultant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees—who prepares his MUN delegates with techniques in diplomacy, research, public speaking, and writing in "UN-ese."
"I'm always a bundle of nerves the first few moments of the conference, when we are called to announce our country's presence. I sometimes find myself shushing my co-delegates because I'm afraid of missing my country's name," says Whitney Gorton, a three-year veteran participant in the Model United Nations of the Far West. "After we've established who's present, though, my heart generally stops racing, and I can focus on representing my assigned country and negotiating on its behalf."
"For me, the first caucus is always the most exciting, when people establish alliances, and you really get a sense of who knows what they're doing."
Previously, Gorton has served as legal chair of the MUN General Assembly, and as a representative for France and for the United States. This year, she assumes the role of Under-Secretary General for the annual conference, taking place on the Whittier campus in spring of 2008.
