Skip to content
SIClogobluehighres-white
  • Falcon Portal
  • Technical Support
  • Give to SIC
  • Request Information
  • Apply Now
  • About SIC
    • ABOUT SIC

      • About SIC
      • Mission Statement
      • Academic Calendar
      • SIC Viewbook
      • Directory
      • Administration
      • Institutional Effectiveness
      • President’s Welcome
      • Connect With SIC
    • BOARD OF TRUSTEES

      • Board of Trustees
      • Board Election Information
      • Board Minutes Archive
      • Board Policies
      • Contact the Board Chair
      • Public Notice
    • FACTS & HISTORY

      • Accountability
      • Facts and History
      • Financial Information
      • History
      • Legends and Lore
    • Maps & Directions

      • Maps & Directions
      • Extension Sites
      • Parking
      • District Map
  • Admissions
    • Admissions

      • Admissions
      • Transfer and Other Credit
      • Student ID Card
      • Parents Information
      • FERPA
      • Placement Testing
      • Recruiter Request
      • Future Students
      • High School Students
      • Why SIC?
  • Academics
    • Academics

      • Academic Calendar
      • Programs by Department
      • Program Curriculum Guides
      • Transfer Curriculum
      • Cooperative Agreements
      • University Partners
      • Adult Basic Education (GED)
      • Community Education
      • Library
      • Online Learning
      • Online Student Complaint Procedures
      • Faculty Handbook
      • Final Exam Schedule
    • Programs by Department

      • Applied Technology
      • Career and Technical Education
      • Humanities, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts
      • Math, Science, & Technology
      • Nursing and Allied Health
      • Workforce and Community Education
      • View All Programs by Department
      • Online Courses and Programs
  • Financial Aid
        • Financial Aid

          • Financial Aid
          • Cost of Attendance
          • Tuition & Payment
          • Student Loans
          • Student Worker Job Postings
        • Scholarships & Grants

          • Scholarships and Grants
          • Grants
          • SIC Scholarships
          • Fresh Start Scholarship
          • Foundation Scholarships
          • Outside Scholarships
        • Veteran Services

          • Veteran Services
          • Veteran Admissions
          • Federal Veteran Benefits
          • Illinois Veterans Benefits
          • Scholarships & Financial Aid
          • Resources
          • Tuition Assistance
        • Resources

          • Forms
          • Policies
          • Net Price Calculator
          • FAQ
          • Myths About Financial Aid
          • Don’t Get Scammed
  • Student Services
    • Student Services

      • Student Services
      • Academic Advising
      • Bookstore
      • Career Services
      • Disability Services
        • ADA Compliance
      • Fitness Center
      • Food Services
      • Illinois Worknet Center
      • Mental Health Wellness
      • Public Transportation
      • Records and Transcripts
      • Graduation
      • Housing Insecurity Aid
      • Recruiter Request
      • Voter Registration
      • Technology Services
      • Title III
      • Upward Bound
    • Student Success Center

      • Student Success Center
      • Perkins Services
      • Testing
      • Tutoring
    • TRiO Student Support Services

      • TRIO Student Support Services
      • What Is TRIO?
      • Program Eligibility
      • Program Services
      • Staff
      • Trio Events and Calendar
      • Student Resources
      • TRIO Director’s Page
    • Technology Services

      • Technology Services
      • Student Account Setup
      • Student Name Changes
      • Email Sync
      • Technology Policies
      • Office 365
      • O365 Account Transfer
      • Online Learning
      • Open Access Labs
      • Wireless Access
  • Campus Life
    • Athletics

      • Baseball
      • Men’s Basketball
      • Bowling Team
      • Golf
      • Women’s Softball
      • Volleyball
      • Official SIC Athletics Site
    • Competitive Teams

      • Falcon Archers
      • Clay Breakers
      • Falcons Faction of Gamers
      • Forensic Falcons
      • Model Illinois Government (MIG)
      • Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society)
    • Activities, Clubs & Organizations

      • B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ)
      • Circle K (Kiwanis) Club
      • SIC Community Chorus
      • SIC Community Jazz Band
      • SIC Concert Choir
      • Computer Organization
      • StrategIC
      • Diesel Technology Club
      • Math and Science Club
      • Nursing Club
      • Outfitter Wildlife Management Organization
      • Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society)
      • Student Government
      • Theta Sigma Phi
      • Welding Organization
  • Community & Alumni
    • Community & Alumni

      • Community & Alumni
      • Alumni & Friends Association
      • Distinguished Alumni
      • Child Care at SIC
      • Community Education
      • Cosmetology Services
      • Children’s Activities
      • Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art
      • Outdoor Life at SIC
      • Small Business Development Center
      • Visual and Performance Art
    • SIC Foundation

      • SIC Foundation
      • Giving Levels
      • Giving Opportunities
      • Foundation Board
      • Donor Bill of Rights
      • SIC Foundation Strategic Plan
      • Privacy Policy
      • FAQ
      • Alumni & Friends Association
      • Distinguished Alumni
      • Contact Us
      • Community & Alumni
    • Give to SIC

      • Give to SIC
      • Giving Opportunities
        • A Gift of Life Insurance
        • A Bequest
        • Charitable Gift Annuity
        • Charitable Remainder Trust
        • Establish an Endowment
        • Estate & Planned Giving
        • Gift Acceptance Policy
        • Gift in Kind
        • Matching Gift
        • Memorial & Tribute Gift
        • Real Estate
        • Retirement Assets
      • FAQ
      • Give Now – Online Donation
      • Community & Alumni
  • Falcon Portal
  • Give to SIC
  • Technical Support
Apply Now
Request Info

SITE SEARCH

SIC>News>Clubs & Competitive Teams>MIG>SIC Places 2nd in State Government Competition

All News

Alumni
Archery
Athletics
Basketball
Bowling Team
Clubs & Competitive Teams
Community Education
Esports - Falcons FoG
Events
Forensic Falcons
General
Hise Museum
Honors and Awards
MIG
MJOC-Child Study Center
Programs
SIC Foundation
Softball
Visual & Performing Arts
WISBDC

SIC Places 2nd in State Government Competition

Clubs & Competitive Teams//Honors and Awards//MIG
March 9, 2018
SIC student Casper Johns of Omaha debates on the Senate Floor during the state competition in Springfield.
SIC student Jordan Franks of Rosiclare debates on the House Floor during the state competition in Springfield.
SIC student Ryan Dennison of Harrisburg leads the Republican Caucus in the Senate Chambers in the Old State Capitol in Springfield.
SIC student Evan Doughty of Equality debates in the Senate Chambers in the Old State Capitol in Springfield.
SIC MIG Team member Dana Hooven chairs the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm Committee in the Capitol.
Taken in the Well of the Senate, the SIC Government Team visits with Sen. Fowler. Pictured are (l-r) Jordan Franks of Rosiclare, Advisor Matt Lees, State Senator Dale Fowler, Casper Johns of Omaha, Evan Doughty of Equality, Dana Hooven and Ryan Dennison both of Harrisburg.
SIC MIG’s three major award winners in Springfield are (l-r) Casper Johns of Omaha and Dana Hooven and Ryan Dennison, both of Harrisburg.

Southeastern Illinois College placed second among small delegations at the Model Illinois Government (MIG) state competition at the state capitol in Springfield.

SIC led all small schools in major awards and committee leadership positions.

This was accomplished despite Southeastern’s status as the smallest school at the competition where they matched up against much larger colleges and universities.

This year SIC was not only the smallest school in terms of enrollment it also had the second smallest number of competitors (five).

“In fact, this was the smallest delegation in school history.” said political science instructor and advisor Matt Lees. “To score nine points with just five students is impressive.  We were taking on teams with twice as many students.  With such small numbers we needed each and every delegate to contribute.”

Southeastern students were elected to three committee spokesman positions.  The team also had a committee chair, a floor whip, and won the election for Assistant Minority Leader.

SIC also won major awards for Outstanding Committee Chair, Outstanding Lobbyist, and Outstanding Member of the Senate.

Head Delegate Evan Doughty, led the team that he characterized as the “finest delegates that the competition had to offer.”

“Evan showed consistent leadership throughout the year,” said Lees.  “He was the very essence of a team captain.”

During competition students have the opportunity to debate bills in the actual House and Senate chambers in Springfield and in the Old State Capitol.  This year over 300 students from 16 colleges and universities across the state participated.

Lees offers a class to prepare the students for the simulation.

Students are required to research every bill in their committees, as well as bills covered in class. They must also keep a journal including at least three pieces of scholarly research.

First year delegate Jordan Franks of Rosiclare commented, “As stressful as it was, I loved every second of it. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

Returning delegates included Head Delegate, Evan Doughty of Equality, Casper Johns of Omaha, Ryan Dennison and senior delegate Dana Hooven both of Harrisburg.

Delegates securing committee spokesperson positions included Dennison, Doughty, and Franks.  Hooven was elected to committee chair and floor whip positions, while Ryan Dennison was elected Assistant Senate Minority Leader.

Dennison commented, “This team was the smallest that I have ever been a part of, but it was without question the strongest.”

Dana Hooven later won the David Hunt Award for Outstanding House Committee Chair, while Casper Johns won the Robert Kent Award for Outstanding Lobbyist, and Ryan Dennison won the Jean Humphrey Award for Outstanding Member of the Senate.

In acquiring two positions and one award, Dennison and Hooven acquired three composite points leading the entire simulation in individual points and tying a school record.

“Ryan is one of the most passionate debaters I have ever instructed,” said Lees “to win the Outstanding Member Award as assistant speaks volumes about his leadership.”

Lobbyist Casper Johns crafted her own original legislation, and successfully guided it from committee all the way to the Governor’s desk where it became the first bill signed into law at the simulation.

She also represented two different lobbying interests and lobbied heavily in Committee and both chambers.

“SIC has a long distinguished history of incredible lobbyists,” said Lees, “Casper more than carried on that tradition this year.”

This year also marked the end of an era at SIC.  This was senior delegate Dana Hooven’s last simulation.  “Dana was the only student on this year’s team that was a member of our  last three championships teams,” said Lees.  During that time Hooven has won three major awards tying the record for the most awarded delegate in SIC team history.

Hooven added, “I would not be a District Legislative Assistant and Capitol Legislative Assistant to State Senator Fowler if it were not for this organization.  MIG allowed me to realize my life’s calling.”

###

Posts navigation

PREVIOUS
NEXT

START YOUR COLLEGE JOURNEY AT SIC

Apply Now
SIC Campus

Tour Southeastern Illinois College

Check out our virtual tour of campus to get an inside look at all that Southeastern Illinois College has to offer. Want to see it all in person? Contact us today to visit our campus.

Visit SIC
SIClogobluehighres-white
  • 3575 College Rd.
    Harrisburg, IL  62946

  • info@sic.edu

  • 618.252.5400 / 866.338.2742

  • Maps & Directions

  • Accountability
  • Catalog
  • Consumer Information
  • Emergency/Security
  • Mission Statement
  • Library Resources
  • Accreditation
  • Academic Calendar
  • Course Schedule
  • Bookstore
  • Employment
  • Directory
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Supporting Our Veterans
Call for Art Proposals

Succeed. Inspire. Connect.

Apply Now
Request Information
Jul 17, 2025 | 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Last Day to Withdraw from 8-Week Summer Classes
Aug 4, 2025 | 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Regular Office Hours Resume
Aug 5, 2025 | 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Falcon Volleyball Summer Camp
View All Events

© 2025 Southeastern Illinois College  |  Privacy Statement  |  Accreditation

Southeastern Illinois College