Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– For the third consecutive year, Gavin Willsey, a senior political science major and pre-law minor from Lakeway, earned placement at the Midwest Model European Union in Bloomington, Indiana – becoming the first student from Stephen F. Austin State University to achieve the distinction.
Willsey placed second as a member of the Belgian Vlaams Belang. In 2023, he placed second as a member of the European Parliament from Portugal representing the Social Democratic Party and placed first representing the Lega Salvini Premier Party of Italy in 2024. Additionally, Willsey served as chair of the European Parliament each year.
“My first priority going into these competitions is always to represent our political science department,” Willsey said. “Faculty members like Drs. Willardson, Payne and especially Galatas have made my time here worthwhile. I feel my success has demonstrated just how effective they are as educators, and I hope my spirit during these competitions has mirrored theirs.”
Hosted by Indiana University, the MMEU competition is the second oldest and largest intercollegiate simulation of the European Union in North America. With this year’s competition featuring 27 teams from 21 institutions, the purpose is to increase awareness and knowledge of the EU, its institutions and its processes. SFA’s team was named Best Delegation – the top honor – in the 2022 and 2023 competitions.
“This year’s Midwest Model EU featured the most competition that I have seen in our 10 years of attending this simulation,” said Dr. Steven Galatas, SFA associate professor of government and Model EU faculty advisor. “For the first time in my experience, there were teams representing all 27 countries that belong to the European Union. The delegations were all very well-prepared, and the quality of debate, discussion and negotiation was the best ever. I am very proud that our students performed well and received complements from many of the other delegations and faculty sponsors.”
The simulation models the legislative bodies and administration of the European Union. Students addressed many issues faced by the European Union, and used bargaining, negotiation, public speaking and diplomacy skills to pass legislation. In most legislative bodies of the EU, a unanimous vote or a weighted majority is needed.
SFA’s team represented Belgium during the competition, which was chosen through a lottery system. In preparation, the team met regularly to review EU legislature processes and research the country’s positions on important or critical issues facing the EU today.
Hayden Thacker of Lake Jackson placed fourth in the Foreign Affairs Council as the Foreign Minister of Belgium. Other team members included Mia Bradley of Lufkin, prime minister of Belgium in the European Council; Miguel Escobedo of Lufkin, economic and finance minister of Belgium; Sean Murphy of Nacogdoches, justice minister of Belgium; and Briley Smith of Nacogdoches, environment minister of Belgium.
The competition also presented opportunities for students to hear from guest speakers, including Brian Cahalane, Consul General of Ireland’s Consulate in Chicago, and Niklas Goerlitz from the European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington, D.C.
“Model EU is a chance to prove that SFA has a place at the table,” Willsey said. “We're up against numerous prestigious schools, and every year I've been part of the team, we've been able to demonstrate our debate chops and knowledge of European politics.”
Interested in seeing what Model EU has in store for you? Contact Galatas for information at galatasse@sfasu.edu. For more information about SFA’s Department of Government, visit their website.