Enterprise Article

In its 33 year existence, the UW Oshkosh Model United Nations team has carved out a distinctive nook and has produced some outstanding alumni. Rising to the top of this list is an extremely unique and extraordinary alumnus.

“I’ll match our students against anybody,” said Model UN faculty member Kenneth Grieb. “There is still a good work ethic in this state and it shows in the students.”

Some of the best Model United Nations teams across the U.S. have highly involved faculty.

Beth Klosinski, ‘01-’04, “Dr. Grieb’s persistence and drive in Model UN helped shape me into who I am today.

According to Alex Adriano, Advisor of the International Studies Program, in 1972, the University Wisconsin Oshkosh Alumni Association created the Outstanding Young Alumni program as a means of recognizing accomplishments and promise of alumni who are recent graduates of the University.

Perhaps the most outstanding alumnus has been Carolyn Hansen. She in one of the original founders of the Model UN team, received a NATO fellowship, owns her own law firm in Taiwan and has translated several books into Chinese.

Hansen received the UW Oshkosh Outstanding Award in 1976.

Model UN has affected many of its alumni in a strikingly similar way.

James Hwang-King, ‘85-’90, is currently part owner in a sales/marketing in the Rocky Mountain States.

Bret Bergst, member from ’95-’99, is now a program Officer with The World Conservation Union (IUCN).

My current job requires me to rely on all my skills that I got as a student in the program. Working in an organization that is truly global, my job requires all of that knowledge and skills,” Bergst said.

Bergst continued to work with Model UN after his graduation. “He has served on staff at the Midwest and National Model UN conferences and has been a presenter for the annual United Nations Association of the United States (UNA-USA) Model UN Summit. Only accomplished student delegates are invited to volunteer for these positions after graduation,” said Adriano.

Kyle Wilson, ’98-’01, said that Model UN was the focal point in his college education and attributes much of his current success with the skills acquired at UW-Oshkosh.

Deborah Aragao, ’01-’03, works for an international environmental organization non-governmental organization (NGO), Conservation International.

“In summary, I perform financial management, donor reporting compliance, develop and maintain communication materials, research and overall fund wide support,” Aragao said.

Model UN and the amount of work put in explain the rapid development in careers and life of these alumni. Their speaking and writing skills are superior, and what is necessary to deal with any mass of information.

“In college football, there’s Notre Dame and everybody else. We’re the Notre Dame of Model UN,” Grieb said.