Luther College senior wins award at Model U.N. conference

Twenty-three Luther students represented the countries of Malta and Niger at the American Model United Nations Conference in Chicago.

DECORAH, IOWA— Luther College senior Cassandra Norton won an award at the American Model United Nations (AMUN) Conference in Chicago from Nov. 18–23.

Each year, students from across the United States gather in Chicago to practice public speaking, write resolutions and learn about global issues. At the fall 2023 conference in November, more than 800 students from 61 colleges represented countries in the Model U.N. and the third year of Luther attending the conference.

Twenty-three students from Luther College Model U.N. attended the conference, with some representing Malta and others representing Niger. Norton won the Outstanding Delegate Award for her representation of Malta in the International Telecommunication Union.

“I was able to make a small collection of friends in my committee, I got along great with staff, and ended the conference feeling like I had done some really good work,” said Norton. “My favorite part was Monday morning when we made our final edits on the required amendments for the resolution. It was so exciting when each amendment passed and then the resolution itself, all by consensus.”

 Luther has a connection to Malta through Luther alumna Vanessa Frazier, class of 1990, who serves as the country’s Permanent Ambassador to the U.N. In February 2023, she also served as the Security Council President. 

Orçun Selçuk, faculty advisor to Model U.N. and assistant professor of political science, said that interest in Model U.N. has grown in the last few years. 

“I enjoy being a part of this successful program at Luther. The whole experience broadens students’ world and exposes them to new perspectives that they are not as familiar with,” Selçuk said. “This year, our team had students from over fifteen countries. We look like the United Nations ourselves.” 

If students are interested in joining Model U.N., they can email modelun@luther.edu for more information. 

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.