UD Mediation Team Nationally Ranked
Nov 22, 2013 | Kristi Lynch
From October 31-November 2, the University of Dubuque mediation team competed at the fourteenth Annual International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament at Drake University Law School. The event attracted schools from throughout the United States including: Boston University, Middle Tennessee State University, Morningside College, Oral Roberts University, and the University of San Diego were among those competing.
Each November the International Academy of Dispute Resolution sponsors an undergraduate competitive contest, the National Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament. The intent of the tournament is to give students a real-life experience as mediator, an attorney, and client. Three students make up a team, and each must participate as mediator in one of three preliminary rounds. Students participating have the opportunity to receive All-American recognition.
The UD team of Cody Udelhofen (junior, Dubuque, IA, criminal justice/business administration), Jordan Waddick (junior, Dubuque, IA, criminal justice/sociology), and Andrew Kendell (junior, Bellevue, IA, business administration/marketing) advanced to the semifinal round in the mediation category. In addition, the team of Taylor Sobotta (junior, Arcadia, WI, criminal justice/psychology), Anna Stoeffler (junior, Prairie du Chien, criminal justice/sociology), and Mackenzie Hadler (sophomore, Minneapolis, MN, criminal justice) advanced in both the advocate/client and mediation categories. Impressive accomplishments considering over 42 teams competed this year.
The team of Sobotta, Stoeffler, and Hadler earned 9th place in the Advocate/Client category. Individually, Mackenzie Hadler placed 10th out of 126 competitors as best mediator. Because of her achievement, she holds the designation of All-American.
Since its inception, the UD mediation team has placed in the top ten nationally every year they have competed.
“Our consistent success in mediation reflects the hard work and determination typical of the students here at the University of Dubuque. I think that our success also speaks to how we are developing graduates who are adept at conflict resolution and communication,” said Professor Ben Bartels, Mediation Team Advisor.
