Profiles
Bruce Bonecutter
Bruce Bonecutter (’71) arrives at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center every day to check to see which of the 300 youth at the facility are facing a crisis.
Dana Benson
As a student at Michigan State University, Dana Benson (’10) performed in several theater productions, but one role stood out. She played a character based…
Alyssa Harvey Dawson
Alyssa Harvey Dawson (’91) likes to analyze problems and find solutions. These are skills she honed at Michigan State University studying journalism, then as a…
Sara Denbo
Sara Denbo is an Honors College member majoring in astrophysics. Her research as an undergrad is conducted in MSU's Cyclotron. She's also president of the State Swing Society on campus.
Nada Zohdy
It began for Nada Zohy ('11) at Michigan State University when she worked with people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds to form the Peace Over Prejudice campaign.
Tiffany Pupa
Tiffany Pupa was going on a break at about 3 a.m. She turned around to the tent she just left to see the dark of night around her.
Jeanne Wald
There’s a light knock on Jeanne Wald’s office door. She opens it to be greeted by a smiling postdoc stopping by to thank her for…
Sa Li
Sa Li is an Honors College senior majoring in mathematics and an international student from China. During her time at MSU, Li has tutored high school students, participated in a national honor fraternity and was a member of the 2015 MSU Homecoming Court.
Gwen Paulson
After receiving a full-ride scholarship to MSU, Gwen (nee Victor) Paulson, ’66, had hoped one day she’d be able to fund a four-year scholarship for…
Joe Johnson
Honors College student Joe Johnson was recognized with the Scholar-Athlete Award - given to athletes with the highest grade-point average on their team. Beyond school…
Janice Mendoza
Janice Mendoza applied to 12 universities across the state as a high school senior living in Hazel Park, Michigan. “I visited other college campuses in…
Natalie Philips
The syllabus for Natalie Phillips’ honors interdisciplinary course “Cognitive Science and the Literary History of Mind” (ENG 492H) includes an 18th Century novel, modern neuroscience…
Henry Ng
Alumnus opens Ohio's only clinic specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) patients
Allison Leotta
Alumna Allison Leotta visited mid-Michigan for her 4th book tour in May, promoting her latest book, A Good Killing. Leotta spoke with HConnections Managing Editor Stephanie Cepak…
Stavoe Family
Chuck Stavoe and his wife, Laurie Horiszny, reflect fondly on their years at MSU, but when asked whether their Honors College experience differed from that…
Claire Morrison
Claire Morrison is an Honors College senior majoring in physical science and secondary education. Her Professorial Assistantship (PA) as a first-year student led to her working as a research intern for the CREATE for STEM Institute on K-12 science education.
Becky Barann and Troy Cervantes
Becky Barann and Troy Cervantes are Honors College seniors and members of the Spartan Marching Band. They've held leadership positions in the band, including serving as president (Barann) and vice president (Cervantes).
John Waller
“I’m about to lecture them on the importance of getting a backpack,” Associate Professor John Waller said as he points to a black hiking backpack…
Vinay Prasad
Doctors have to make a lot of important decisions every day. They recommend a certain type of hormone therapy for patients, a costly treatment cycle…
Beryl Johnson
Beryl (Benschop) Johnson (′64) and husband Edward spent their 49th anniversary at the same place they had their first kiss—Michigan State University. The two traveled…
Lindsay Tigue
By Stephanie Cepak I’m sitting with Iowa Poetry Prize winner Lindsay Tigue in Espresso Royale on Grand River Avenue. The coffee machine is steaming away…
Danielle Grace
For Danielle Grace, visiting Japan was not just one more thing to cross off her bucket list – it was a cross-cultural experience that broadened…
Marisa Hamel and Kathleen McLain
There are lots of steps to take when it comes to creating a museum exhibit – let alone two museum exhibits – just ask journalism…
Ely Hsu
Working alongside a professor, Ely Hsu manufactures tool wear and analyzes it as a mechanical engineering and supply chain management double-major.
William Davie
Physiology student William Davie conducted service projects abroad and did research at the W. K. Kellogg Biological Station.
Melissa Bailey
With the tooth from a Tyrannosaurus rex in hand, Honors College alumna Melissa Bailey (‘01) was walking down the halls of the Washington State Legislature…
Chris Ryan
Show business brings out Chris Ryan's creative side. The marketing major keeps busy with stand-up comedy.
Elaine Chu
Mummies, bones and human remains were never the side of anthropology Honors College senior Elaine Chu had envisioned for herself — not until seeing them…
Brian Batayeh
Brian Batayeh interned in South Africa and worked with youth on projects effecting their community.
Jill Kolongowski
By: Clare Wismer Picture the first time you ever opened a Harry Potter book. Feelings of being captivated by adventure on each page, not being…
Roger Rama
Roger Rama came to Michigan State University knowing he wanted to do something with business, but he wasn’t exactly sure what. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin,…
Jen Orlando
One might say I have an affinity for Michigan State. I grew up in mid Michigan, my family members attended the university, I received my…
Matthew Suandi
By Clare Wismer While most 18-year-olds are receiving their high school diplomas, Honors College student Matthew Suandi instead earned his Michigan State University degrees in…
Barb Stone Reetz
Barb Stone Reetz exemplifies how a person's own talent and motivation, coupled with course flexibility and academic rigor during college, can prepare a student for a career full of unknowns.
Jadel Hughes-Davis
Jadel Hughes Davis is an Honors College student majoring in chemical engineering. Her love for biology and fashion have her eyeing a career in the personal care industry.
Cleveland Thrasher
As a child, Cleveland Thrasher (’09) liked to visit his godfather, John Smith, who at the time was a designer for General Motors. Thrasher often…
Chris Bone
A stamp of Justin S. Morrill’s image hanging in a congressional hearing room was a recent reminder of Chris Bone’s (’79) time at Michigan State…
Jaime Racalla
As a child, the John Ball Zoo was one of Jaime Racalla’s (’10) favorite places. She volunteered there as a teenager. Then as a student…
Justin Kuxhaus
After an interview with Boeing, Justin Kuxhaus (’05) was at the airport and about to fly back to Michigan when he was asked to return…
Kaavya Ramesh
Kaavya Ramesh (’14) was always searching for information to craft her arguments as a member of the Michigan State University debate team, and like her…
Jeremiah Eaton
Can the introduction of a small animal predator curtail the spread of Lyme Disease in humans? Honors College senior Jeremiah Eaton spent the summer in…
Jasmine Jordan
Jasmine Jordan, a 2021 graduate from the College of Social Science, has been named a Gates Cambridge Scholar for the second time. In fall 2022,…
Gabriel Sotelo
Third-year Computer Science and Mathematics student Gabriel Sotelo explores his passions both in and outside the classroom. Sotelo, from Peru, is the president and a…