By Sloane Barlow
Scholarship donors met student recipients at the Honors College Scholarship Dinner at Cowles House on Thursday, September 26.
Scholarship donors were greeted by staff and a live violinist while connecting with student recipients. Afterwards, donors and students sat down for dinner and remarks from speakers.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our donors,” Honors College Interim Dean Glenn Chambers said in his remarks. “Your vision and generosity are what propel us forward. You’ve not only invested in education, but in the future leaders, researchers, and innovators who will shape our world.”
Students shared their stories, gratitude, and scholarship impact with donors firsthand, humanizing the awards they received.
“To me, this scholarship means so much more than just financial support,” said Jeanette Dompreh, recipient of the Pride Scholarship. “This is suggesting that I have the ability and I have the power to make a difference, not just in my community but in the world.”
Seventeen scholarship recipients filled the room, thankful for the 20 donors they had the great opportunity to meet and learn more about.
“In the country that I come from, Ghana, there is a term called medaase, it is to express the deepest of thanks,” Dompreh said in her remarks. “And to you all I say, me daa say, because I would not be here – a first-generation college student from Accra, Ghana, here at Michigan State – I would not be here without any of those in this room.”
Honors College graduate, Rhodes Scholar, Hall of Fame sprinter, and Campbell Hall donor Molly Brennan is one of the many scholarship donors with her husband, Bill Devlin. Their scholarship funds students doing sustainability work in its broadest sense.
“The opportunities that the Honors College allowed me to explore my passion and tailor my education to my interests, I value greatly.” Brennan said. “And I recognize the opportunity that it gives students.”
Donors and scholars like these allow the Honors College to push the boundaries of excellence in all areas of study.
“With your support, our students will continue to break new ground in research, excel in academics, and lead in community service,” Chambers concluded in his remarks.
The full photo album from this event can be found here. A video recap is available below, and can also be viewed at this link.