By Sloane Barlow
This year, eight Honors College students were selected for the 12-person Homecoming Court. Representing Michigan State University on the Homecoming Court is considered one of the highest honors for Spartan seniors.
These students will continue to serve as ambassadors of the university – representing MSU and the Honors College at numerous events, and connecting with Spartans all around the world.
Thank you to these Court members for their Spartan leadership, spirit, integrity, and achievements.
Caroline Beckrow
Caroline Beckrow is a fourth-year student from Stevensville, Michigan, studying social relations and policy through James Madison College and human biology through Lyman Briggs College.
Beckrow enjoys attending Honors College Activities Board events throughout the year and getting to know her Honors peers.
“During my freshman year, the Honors College offered free tickets to the Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s performance of ‘The Music of Harry Potter,’” Beckrow said. “When I got there, I met some awesome HC students and spent the whole intermission talking about our interests. On that day, I was overcome by how welcoming and supportive our community is.”
Kaylin Casper
Kaylin Casper is a fourth-year student from Burbank, California, studying humanities pre-law through College of Arts and Letters and sociology through College of Social Science. She is minoring in American Indian and Indigenous Studies, as well as LGBTQ+ and Sexuality Studies.
Casper was a part of the HC IMPACT Week of Service and has competed for national awards through the Distinguished Student Awards Office, which is administered by the Honors College and serves as a resource to all MSU students.
She has been a Giving Back Award finalist, a Truman Scholarship finalist, and the 14th Udall Scholar in MSU history. Casper is currently a university nominee for the Marshall and Rhodes scholarships.
“I’m not here just for myself,” Casper said in a previous MSU Alumni release. “I carry my ancestors, my mentors and every student who’s ever felt unseen. I want others to see themselves reflected in my story and to know they belong. Spartans show up for each other and I’m proud to stand for the kind of leadership that listens, lifts and loves with intention.”
Delaney Jones
Delaney Jones is a fourth-year student from Jackson, Michigan, studying marketing through Eli Broad College of Business and communication, leadership, and strategy through College of Communication Arts and Sciences. She is minoring in entrepreneurship and innovation.
“During my first semester on-campus, I had the privilege to enroll in an Undergraduate Research Seminar course as an Honors student,” Jones said. “This class opened my eyes to the world of data storytelling, which helped me discover my passion for marketing research and insights. I hope to pursue a career in this field, and I am very thankful for the impact this experience had on shaping my future goals!”
Jones has been involved in the Honors College Service Club and the Honors College Dean’s Advisory Council (HCDAC), working to help both her Honors community and the Greater Lansing community.
Jogi Katende
Jogi Katende is a fourth-year student from Kampala/Luwero, Uganda, studying finance through the Eli Broad College of Business and economics through the College of Social Science. He is minoring in quantitative data analytics, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation.
He has been involved in Honors Students Actively Recruiting (H-STAR), HC IMPACT Week of Service, and research presentations funded by the Honors College.
“My favorite memory of the Honors College is the HC IMPACT Week of Service,” Katende said. “Within one week, I became fast friends with a diverse group of students passionate about serving our communities. Over the past few years, it has been a privilege to return annually and volunteer with the new cohort of HC IMPACT students.”
Jai Kozar-Lewis
Jai Kozar-Lewis is a fourth-year student from East Lansing, Michigan, and part of the Eli Broad College of Business, College of Natural Science, and College of Social Science. He is studying supply chain management with a minor in environmental studies and sustainability, and a second minor in leadership of organizations.
“My Honors options have allowed me to explore various different parts of the university that I would have otherwise not experienced,” Kozar-Lewis said. “I attended the MRULE RTDs, worked with a team to explore the impacts of AI in the classroom, and most recently am working with my professor to research the circular economy and implications of electrical vehicles.”
Through the Honors College, Kozar-Lewis was given the opportunity to become a University Advancement student ambassador, representing MSU to hundreds of alumni and donors.
Carol Massey
Carol Massey is a fourth-year student from Grapevine, Texas, studying criminal justice through the College of Natural Science and psychology through the College of Social Science. She is minoring in both philosophy and quantitative data analytics.
She is an executive board member of H-STAR and a member of Honors College Media Ambassadors. Massey also served as a building tour guide at the ribbon cutting for Campbell Hall, the Honors College’s living-learning community.
“My favorite memory of the Honors College is helping out with the Alumni Distinguished Scholars Competition,” Massey said. “I enjoy getting to meet all the prospective students and talking about how great the Honors College is.”
Om Nair
Om Nair is a fourth-year student from Mumbai, India, studying applied engineering sciences through the College of Engineering. He is minoring in entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as data science.
Nair has been a part of the Professorial Assistantship Program, the International Scholars Advisory Board (ISAB), the Honors College Inclusive Excellence Strategic Committee, the Campbell Hall Renovation Advisory Committee, the ASMSU University Committee for Honors Programming, and the Honors Navigators Mentorship Program. He has also served as an Honors College Green Teams mentor.
“My favorite memory goes all the way back to the Honors College International Students Welcome my freshman year,” Nair said. “The sincerity with which the ISAB leaders, and [Honors College Academic Specialist/Advisor] Sadiq, wanted to make sure we were all feeling at home in that new space really stayed in my heart.
“Last year, I got the opportunity to organize and speak at that same event as ISAB’s vice president,” he said. “It made me emotional – how fast time flies, and how we find ways to give back to the community that matters to us so much.”
Taylor Toth
Taylor Toth is a fourth-year student from Milford, Michigan, and is a part of the Eli Broad College of Business, James Madison College, and College of Social Science. She is studying political theory and constitutional democracy, as well as social relations and policy, with minors in business, history, and European studies.
Toth has been a first prize winner of the MLK Jr. Advancing Inclusion through Research Award and is an involved member of HCDAC.
“My favorite memory of the Honors College was having dinner with Interim Dean Chambers last semester and getting to know Honors College students and staff,” Toth said.