Hodges named to dean’s list

Millikin University has announced that junior Emily M. Hodges of Lebanon was named to the High Dean’s List for the 2007 fall semester. To be eligible, students must complete at least 12 graded credits during the semester and earn a grade point average of 4.0.

Sanders appointed to Naval Academy

Congressman Steve Buyer has announced that Matthew R. Sanders, a senior at Zionsville Community High School, has received an appointment to join the Class of 2012 at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.

“Matthew is a great example of what the Naval Academy is looking for in its candidates and I am proud that I could offer a young man like him a nomination. His success in balancing a challenging schedule with exceptional results in athletics, academics and other extracurricular activities is a fine testament to his dedication and to the dedication of the community that helped him get this appointment to Annapolis,” Buyer said.

During his time at Zionsville Community High School, Sanders has been active on the swim and dive team, participated as vice president of the Key Club and team captain of Model United Nations conferences. In addition to holding a part-time job, Sanders is active in his church youth group and helped plan several trips around the country to aid those in need, including one that provided post-Katrina relief in New Orleans.

Litscher named to dean’s list

Robin Litscher, daughter of Christian and Beverly Litscher of Lebanon has been named to the Dean’s List at Hope College for the first semester of the 2007-08 school year. To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Kelsey inducted into Golden Key

Amanda C. Kelsey of Jamestown has accepted membership in Golden Key International Honour Society and was honored during a recent induction ceremony at Ball State University.

“It is only fitting that a top academic achiever like Amanda be recognized by Golden Key,” said Alexander D. Perwich II, Golden Key’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our members are inspired and motivated not only to achieve exceptional academic accomplishments, but also to make a positive impact on our world through the society’s commitment to services.”

Golden Key International Honour Society is the premier college and university honor society in the world, with more than 1.7 million members and 353 chapters.

Blankenship joins University Choral Union

MUNCIE — Julie Blankenship, Lebanon, is a member of the Ball State University Choral Union.

Blankenship is a freshman and is the daughter of Matt and Teresa Mossman, Lebanon.

The Ball State University Choral Union is a mixed chorus of approximately 100 singers. In any given year, the group's repertoire spans folk music, major works with orchestra, a variety of choral part songs, multicultural pieces and show tunes. They perform four campus concerts each year.

Students participate in model UN

FRANKLIN — Fourteen Franklin College students traveled to the University of Indianapolis for the 29th annual Model United Nations Security Council 2007 simulation on Nov. 8-10.

Participants from the area included: Jessica Hall, the daughter of Paul J. Hall and Barbara Jennings of Zionsville; Addison Brooks, the son of Adam and Kim Garriott of Lebanon; Christopher Pennington, the son of Tina Burdine of Jamestown; and Andrew Keinsley, the son of Greg and Karen Keinsley of Sheridan.

The event was held by the Indiana Consortium for International Programs and consisted of a realistic simulation of the actual United Nations international crisis management bodies.

According to Dr. Yu-Long Ling, Franklin College professor of international politics and international law, the Model U.N. experience puts classroom theories to the test.

“In the classroom, we stress theories more than facts. But politics deals with reality, especially international politics. The Model U. N. can certainly help compensate for this,” Dr. Ling said. “Our students have the opportunity to meet with colleagues from other higher education institutions. This exercise is very valuable to them.”

Each participant represented a different country in a simulated General Assembly session. An agenda of different international issues were identified by the group sponsoring the session and discussed in the assembly. This year’s topics included: Iran, nuclear weapons, military support for groups in Iraq, revitalizing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, water as a source of conflict in the future and other issues concerning Sudan, Darfur, the Central African Republic, Chad, Myanmar, Gaza, Hamas and Israel.

The simulation included three councils consisting of 15 two-person teams representing the United Nations Security Council member states. The teams met, prepared policy papers, debated issues and voted on resolutions.