Global Affairs Organization dedicated to uniting, educating TU campus

The Global Affairs Organization offers co-curricular credit and free coffee, tea, and cookies from Sabaidee at all speaker events. photo by JESSICA HOLLAN

by JESSICA HOLLAN
Assistant editor

Have you attended an interesting speech presented by a distinguished scholar recently? Did you receive free cookies, coffee, and tea at the event? Was co-curricular credit offered? If you answered yes to all three of those questions, then chances are you were an attendee of a Global Affairs Organization event.

Tiffin University’s Global Affairs was founded less than 10 years ago and offers its members an opportunity to attend the Model United Nations and Model NATO conferences as representatives of assigned countries. Last year, TU represented Turkey and Estonia at Model NATO in Washington D.C. and was considered to be an active participant to the discussion, contributing many ideas and solutions for both countries, and maintaining diplomatic relations with other countries.

The organization is dedicated to their mission statement, “To unite TU students who have a common interest in international relations and global policy, while gaining a deeper understanding of international law and organizations.” This has been at the forefront of their recent revitalization within the TU community.

“As an organization, we really wanted to become more involved on the Tiffin University campus,” said GAO public affairs coordinator Ariana Seanor. “I am personally so proud of the work that GAO has put forth this semester. Hosting such successful speaker events, along with our presence in front of the Gil for our shirt fundraiser and our game at the international dinner, has helped bring our organization to the forefront of the campus’ mind.”

The organization’s first speaker event took place in February and featured Rachal Tate. Tate is a financial adviser for Tiffin, Ohio, with extensive knowledge of the inner financial workings of governmental powers.

“Rachal Tate’s presentation earned two enthusiastic thumbs up from me,” said GAO president Connor Wolfe. “Her presentation went a long way in helping me understand what Brexit is and about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and how the banking systems handle our money.”
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This sentiment was echoed by GAO vice president Taylor Stewart.

“I am really happy GAO was able to put on such an educational event that pertains to current events for our fellow students,” said Stewart. “Rachal provided strong insight on a topic many Americans do not realize affects us.”

After the success of having packed Chisholm theatre in Franks Hall for Tate’s presentation, GAO staged their second speaker, Inspector General Shajid Shapoo, in the Marion Center and even had to add chairs.

Inspector General Shapoo is a senior Indian Police Service officer with over 18 years of law enforcement and counter-terrorism investigations. He has lead numerous high-profile assignments and has the rare distinction of receiving three Presidential Medals, including two Gallantry Medals, India’s highest award for bravery.

 “The Global Affairs Organization was honored to host Inspector General Shapoo,” said Wolfe. “His presentation taught me an incredible amount about India and Pakistani relations. His insight on the religion of Islam tied everything together very well, and Inspector General Shapoo's unique perspective reminded me how important it is to consider both sides of a situation before making a final judgment.”

Those in attendance enjoyed attending the event as much as GAO enjoyed hosting it.

“I felt that Inspector General Shapoo was an inspiring speaker here on Tiffin University; his speech goes hand in hand with President Schumacher's mission, which is to strengthen the idea of diversity,” said TU student Kyle Petris. “I would like to personally thank the Global Affairs Organization for bringing in Inspector General Shapoo and wish to see more of this sort of activities here on campus.”

After the success of over 100 attendees at the Inspector General’s speech, GAO was granted the honor of having hosted the Event of the Week by Tiffin University’s student government.

“We are excited to have been able to bring speakers of the caliber of Ms. Tate and Mr. Shapoo to the Tiffin campus. They help our students understand the world we all share--an interesting, complicated, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying world,” said GAO advisor Professor David Selnick. “Listening to the speakers' experiences and perspectives helps our students make sense of that world and discover their place in it.  We are truly fortunate as a university organization to be able to provide opportunities which support that kind of self-discovery.”

GAO meetings are Thursdays 7 until 8 p.m. in Main 13. Be sure to keep an eye out for GAO at Springfest, where they will hosting their annual egg toss. If you have any questions, contact the executive board at gao@tiffin.edu.