Lane Van Tassell started the Georgia Southern Model UN team in 1972 with 10 students and a vision for excellence. Now retired, Van Tassell remains a mentor to the team and its biggest supporter. After launching the college program, Van Tassell expanded Model UN to local high schools and middle schools, becoming the advisor for the third middle school program in the nation in 1982. The middle school program has grown each year, hosting over 1,000 students at recent conferences. Van Tassell continues to help the program grow through various roles like chairing conferences and setting up events, committed to seeing it thrive for years to come.

1. left57150 Model United Nations Center for International Studies Georgia Southern University P.O. Box 8106 Statesboro, GA 30460-8106 (912) 681-5929 Media Contact: Amy Gemmel (229) 224-4607 agemmel7@gmail.comSTATESBORO, Ga., June 11, 2009From Start to End: The Van Tassell EffectLane Van Tassell started the Georgia Southern Model UN (United Nations) team in 1972 with 10 college kids and vision of excellence. Today Van Tassell is still a constant presence as a mentor to the team. “Even though I am no longer advising the team I still enjoy stopping by to test their debating skills,” said Van Tassell. “I want the kids to know that I will always be their number one supporter.” After launching a successful college team at Georgia Southern it was time for Van Tassell to reach out into the community and get not only the high schools, but also the middle schools involved in the organization. In 1982, acting as a true pioneer, Van Tassell became the advisor of the third middle school Model UN program in the nation. The middle school program has continued to grow annually. In fact, this past year the Georgia Southern Model UN team hosted over 1,000 middle school students in debate on the Georgia Southern campus and at the Coastal Georgia Conference Center in Savannah, Ga. True to his nature, Van Tassell has not been far removed from all of the growth of the programs. Whether it’s being Chairman of a conference, speaking on behalf of the organization, or setting up tables, Van Tassell is ready to help. “I am committed to seeing this program grow on all levels,” said Van Tassell. “The least I can do is to lend my time in seeing it through.” Nearly 40 years after its debut, the Georgia Southern Model UN team has become a United Nations internationally recognized team for its longstanding commitment to the organization and numerous awards. -###-