By Jordan Beaubois, News Editor
Aquinas College Arab League team – Photo taken by Grace Wilson
The 2025 Michigan Model Arab League has concluded its annual diplomatic congregation of college students to come together in an attempt to replicate the delegating done by the real Arab League. Aquinas College attended representing; Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Egypt with just under 25 active student participants.
The Aquinas students sit on one of three committees: the Joint Defense Council debating counterterrorism, coordinating security and aid. Next was the Council on Palestinian Social & Political Affairs to deliberate the question of identity, intergalactic diplomacy.
Finally, there was the Council of Arab Social Affairs in which discussed the paramount importances of internationally displaced people (IDP), refugees, preventing radicalization, and much more pressing issues in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.
Aquinas College student and Head Delegate of Saudi Arabia on Arab Social Affairs, Ryan Lozinski reflected on her experience participating for the second time at Michigan Model Arab League. “My experience was amazing! I (role)played the same delegate as I did last year from the same country and in the same council. Saw some old friends and made new ones along the way,” remarked Lozinski.
(Left to right) William Blanchard delegate of Egypt, Alexander Rodriguez delegate of Egypt, & Aiden Butler delegate of Saudi Arabia delegating in Palestinian Political and Social Affairs – photo by Jordan Beaubois
Multiple awards were granted to many Aquinas College students for accurate representation and diplomacy. Congratulations were offered to all of the students who participated, newcomers and veterans of Michigan Model Arab League, all under the teachings of Palmatier Endowed Professor of Political Science, Doctor Roger Durham. Aquinas College Professor Durham offers this class every Spring semester for 2 credits for first timers, and 1 credit for those repeating the class.
The Aquinas College students alongside Professor Roger Durham after the award ceremony – photo by Grace Wilson
Another Aquinas student who portrayed the delegate of Kuwait in the committee of Palestinian Social and Political Affairs is Ethan Tennant. “Honestly,” said Tennant, “it’s one of the best experiences I’ve had here at Aquinas. Even if you’re not a poli-sci student I’d highly recommend it because you get to learn so much and get credit for something both challenging and fun,” said Tennant.
Durham encourages students, whether they are majors in the field or not, to sign up for this distinctive experience. Not only Arab League, but its sister class Model United Nations offered in the fall semester. It is a rarity that a small Catholic liberal arts college offers both of these courses to its students is a unique opportunity.
The Saint 