Top L to R: Mate Narh, Aaron Guggenheimer, Weeam Guetari, James Suggit, Jerome Hamilton Jr., Julia Zera
Mid L to R: Rachel Schenck, Ella Harrell, Anish Gogineni, Hariharan Ramakrishnan, Sara Sawford, Elena Serra.
Bottom L to R: Adam Duffy, Tessa Versace, Quynh Tong, Samuel Rabick, Sanaye Lewis, Maggie Jones.
I chose coming to MSU because it felt like home. When researching what university I wanted to attend, I loved the idea of having a big research university with smaller residential colleges built within it. I felt that MSU was perfect for me to get the tailored academic experience I was looking for in a college.
I have so many opportunities available at MSU that I might not get at many other schools, and I am excited to get a Professorial Assistantship in my undergrad. All the staff and current students have been very welcoming, and I know that MSU will be the perfect place for me.
EAST LANSING–Eighteen incoming students have been awarded scholarships to cover full tuition, room and board and a stipend for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study at Michigan State University.
The scholarships are valued at about $130,000 for in-state students and approximately $230,000 for out-of-state students.
The newest Alumni Distinguished Scholars and University Distinguished Scholars hail from Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vietnam, and Ghana.
“We are delighted to welcome all of the Alumni and University Distinguished Scholars as well as all of those who took part in the selection processes this year,” said Dr. Matthew Zierler, Interim Dean of the Honors College. “These students have already demonstrated a high level of achievement and intellectual curiosity, and we are looking forward to them bringing their talents and excitement to the Honors College and MSU.
All students receiving an Alumni Distinguished Scholarship or University Distinguished Scholarship will be members of the Honors College.
“Michigan State University is excited to have this year’s Alumni and University Distinguished Scholars join our community of student scholars, faculty and staff,” said MSU Director of Admissions, John Ambrose. “As each of the Alumni and University Distinguished Scholars prepares to take the next step in their journey to make the world a better place, we want them to know that we are prepared to go the distance with them this next four years and do our part in creating opportunities, sharing in discovery and reveling in the possibilities for the future together…because SPARTANS WILL!”
Alumni Distinguished Scholars were selected from more than 1,100 of the top high school seniors who applied to MSU, participated in interviews and took an intensive general knowledge exam this past winter.
The Alumni Distinguished Scholars are:
- Adam Duffy of Meadville, Pennsylvania. Duffy is graduating from Meadville Area Senior High School. He plans to major in Music Education and Music Performance at MSU.
- Aaron Guggenheimer of Oakwood, Ohio. Guggenheimer is graduating from Oakwood High School. He plans to join the Lyman Briggs College
- Anish Gogineni of Novi, Michigan. Gogineni graduating from Novi High School. He is planning to major in Lyman Briggs College.
- Weeam Guetari of McDonald, Pennsylvania. Guetari is graduating from South Fayette Township High School. She plans to major in Chemical Engineering.
- Ella Harrell of Youngstown, Ohio. Harrell is graduating from Poland Seminary High School. She plans to major in Biosystems Engineering.
- Margaret “Maggie” Jones of Louisville, Kentucky. Jones is graduating from Carol Martin Gatton Academy. She plans to major in Plant Biology.
- Samuel Rabick of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rabick is graduating from Comstock High School and the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center. He plans to major in Electrical Engineering.
- Hariharan Ramakrishnan of Shelby Township, Michigan. Ramakrishnan is graduating from Eisenhower High School. He is planning to major in Neuroscience.
- Rachel Schenck of Ada, Michigan. Schenck is graduating from Forest Hills Central High School. She is planning to major in Material Science and Engineering.
- Elena Serra of Sterling Heights, Michigan. Serra is graduating from Adlai E. Stevenson High School. She plans to major in Lyman Briggs College.
- James Suggitt of Lebanon, New Jersey. He is graduating from Hunterdon Central Regional High School. He plans to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
- Tessa Versace of Chicago, Illinois. Versace is graduating from Lane Technical High School. She plans to major in Chemical Engineering.
- Julia Zera of Arlington Heights, Illinois. She is graduating from Rolling Meadows High School. Zera plans to major in Mathematics.
University Distinguished Scholars were selected from the MSU applicant pool by the director of admissions and the dean of the Honors College based on high school programs, achievements, and interviews with the finalists.
The University Distinguished Scholars are:
- Jerome Hamilton of Baltimore, Maryland. Hamilton is graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He plans to major in Political Science.
- Sanaye Lewis of Acworth, Georgia. Lewis is graduating from Kennesaw Mountain High School. She plans to major in Computer Science.
- Mate Narh of Accra, Ghana. Narh graduated from Achimota School. He plans to major in Electrical Engineering.
- Sara Sawford of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Sawford is graduating from West Allegheny High School. She is planning to major in Physics.
- Quynh Anh Tong of Ha Noi, Vietnam. Tong is graduating from Foreign Language Specialized School. She plans to major in Lyman Briggs College.
I found that Michigan State was the best fit for me academically and socially, as it allows me to pursue my passions and challenge myself in a strong community of similarly passionate people.
Aside from excellent academic programs and a beautiful campus, Michigan State University offers an incredibly welcoming and enthusiastic atmosphere. I’ve had nothing but positive interactions with current students and alumni, and I’m excited to experience the great sense of community that they’ve all mentioned.
Contact: Bess German or Ben Brown.