On Friday, March 21, U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos ’92 stood with a microphone in front of the members of Stetson’s Model Senate and talked about listening.

“The best talent that an elected official can have is not being necessarily the most dynamic speaker in the room,” said Haridopolos (R-FL). “The most successful people I’ve seen in my legislative career, both here [in Florida] and now in Washington, are the ones who are actually the best listeners … . So, ironically enough, the more unselfish you are in this process, the more power you ultimately accumulate. … If you’re a great listener, you really can accomplish a lot more things.”

Those comments were among the nuggets of insight gained by students during Haridopolos’ visit back to campus as part of the 53rd Annual Patrick L. Smith Model Senate, held March 20-22, in the Warren and Barbara Carr Stetson Room.

As the nation’s oldest model senate, the collection of 100 student members (plus students from other colleges and universities) and events reproduces the actual procedures and activities of the U.S. Senate in an effort to provide real-world experience and education. Students even take on the persona of their respective assigned senator, which includes adapting individual idiosyncrasies and characteristics to maximize authenticity. Further, each year students receive in-depth background information on a variety of congressional issues. Also, past programs have been highlighted by visits from multiple U.S. senators.

‘What’s It Like’

In turn, Haridopolos provided a glimpse into a world that many in attendance aspire to join.

“What’s it like to actually be in office?” he asked. “And what’s it like to run for office? They’re two diametrically different things. Being a candidate versus actually being a member of the Congress … are radically different environments.”

Majoring in History at Stetson, he was never part of the Model Senate, but his team did win an intramural soccer championship, he joked, before beginning his talk, which perhaps inspired him as much as the students. “I’m so excited that, whether you’re Republican, Democrat or Independent, you’re taking great interest in America and taking interest in politics,” he told the students.

Model Senate Legacy

Afterward, Haridopolos expressed gratitude.

“Stetson gave me so many opportunities at a first-class education, and I think it’s absolutely vital that we give back,” he said. “And I think it’s really vital that students hear firsthand what the real world is like, and especially the political world — to see it behind the scenes and understand what they’re walking into.”

Not long ago, in fact, his current communications director was among the students: George Alderman ’21, who served as both president of the Model Senate and the Student Government Association. In addition, Patrick L. Smith ’03, the Model Senate’s benefactor, was a student participant. He’s now an attorney in Florida at The Law Offices of Patrick L. Smith, PLLC. Similar to Haridopolos, Smith used the words “gratifying” and “inspiring” to describe his involvement these days.

‘Understand and Learn’

Following the congressman’s presentation, senior Andrew Goldner felt rewarded. Goldner, majoring in Political Science with a minor in English, is the Model Senate student director and plans to attend law school this fall.

“This event has taught me so much,” he said. “Being a member of the Model Senate has allowed me to understand and learn about the interworkings of the Senate and has given me a much better understanding of why the real Senate does what it does. Being the director of the Planning Committee has allowed me to learn significant leadership skills and helped me understand what it is like to be a part of something bigger than myself. Planning something that 100 students look forward to every year was humbling and incredibly rewarding.”

Goldner’s comments certainly would be music to the ears of Kelly Smith, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Political Science. Smith also is the Model Senate’s faculty adviser.

“This is an opportunity for Stetson students and students from other colleges and universities to participate in a three-day simulation event where students act as U.S. senators working to mark up and pass important legislation,” she concluded. “The use of simulations is a cutting-edge pedagogical approach to enhance student understanding and engagement. For many students, this is a hallmark event in their undergraduate career.”

-Michael Candelaria