By Sloane Barlow
Michigan State University has awarded its annual Alumni and University Distinguished Scholarships to nineteen top incoming first-year students.
“The incoming cohort of Alumni and University Distinguished Scholars inspired us with their commitment to making a meaningful difference in their communities,” said Honors College Dean Christopher Long. “We are thrilled to welcome them to Michigan State University and to support them as they bring their considerable talent, passion, and purpose to the world.”
The Alumni and University Distinguished Scholarships will cover full tuition, room and board, and a stipend for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study. The scholarships are considered some of the most competitive awards in the country, valued at approximately $140,000 for in-state students and $240,000 for out-of-state students.
The newest Alumni and University Distinguished Scholars come from across the country and world including Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming as well as Kenya and Ghana.
The Scholars will attend one or more of the following colleges at MSU in addition to the Honors College: College of Arts & Letters, Broad College of Business, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, College of Music, College of Natural Science, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, and the College of Social Science.
“Michigan State University is excited to have this year’s Alumni and University Distinguished Scholars join our campus community and add to the diversity and spirit of Spartan Nation,” said Michigan State Director of Admissions, John Ambrose. “As each of the 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 the next four years and do our part in creating opportunities, sharing in discovery, and reveling in the possibilities for a better tomorrow.”
Alumni Distinguished Scholars were selected from some of the most outstanding high school graduates who applied to Michigan State, wrote short essay responses, took an intensive general knowledge exam, and participated in interviews this past winter.
The Alumni Distinguished Scholars are:
- Adeline Meyers of Geneva, Illinois. Adeline plans to major in the James Madison College.
- Andrew Strong of Saline, Michigan. Andrew plans to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the College of Natural Science.
- Calvin DeJong of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Calvin plans to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the College of Natural Science.
- Divijasri Anuga of Roanoke, Texas. Divija plans to major in Finance in the Broad College of Business and Criminal Justice in the College of Social Science.
- Elijah Gleckler of Westerville, Ohio. Elijah plans to major in Engineering in the College of Engineering.
- Hannah Litts of Gladstone, Michigan. Hannah plans to major in Biochemistry in the Lyman Briggs College.
- Hayley Asai of Gaithersburg, Michigan. Hayley plans to major in Graphic Design in the College of Arts & Letters.
- Isaac Napier of Zanesfield, Ohio. Isaac plans to major in Jazz Studies in the College of Music and Mathematics in the College of Natural Science.
- Kyle Rockwell of Sheridan, Wyoming. Kyle plans to major in Computer Science in the College of Engineering.
- Langston Key of Little Rock, Arkansas. Langston plans to major in Games and Interactive Media in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
- Lily Dixon of Marquette Michigan. Lily plans to major in Arts and Humanities in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities.
- Lydia Elbert of Chicago, Illinois. Lydia plans to major in Biochemistry in the Lyman Briggs College.
- Mikayla Datka of Franksville, Wisconsin. Mikayla plans to major in Environmental Biology and Zoology in the College of Natural Science.
- Rahul Ramesh of Flower Mound, Texas. Rahul plans to major in Biology in the Lyman Briggs College.
- Reina St. Juliana of Ortonville, Michigan. Reina plans to major in Psychology in the College of Social Science.
- Shubhan Nagarkar of Midland, Michigan. Shubhan plans to major in Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering, as well as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the College of Natural Science.
University Distinguished were selected from Michigan State applicants by the Director of Admissions, John Ambrose, and the Dean of the Honors College, Christopher Long, based on high school programs and achievements.
The University Distinguished Scholars are:
- Derrick Agyekum of Kasoa, Ghana. Derrick plans to major in Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering.
- Eleanor Pugh of Bethesda, Maryland. Eleanor plans to major in Russian in the College of Arts & Letters, Anthropology in the College of Social Science, and Comparative Cultures and Politics in the James Madison College.
- Tony Chirchir of Eldoret, Kenya. Tony plans a major in the College of Engineering.
Congratulations to all the Scholars! Visit here for more information on the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Competition. Please contact Dr. Bess German at germanr@msu.edu with inquiries.