Honors alumna returns 50 years later, invests in next generation of leaders

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Image of Joanne Maguire smiling joyfully at a student inside Michigan State University's Campbell Hall. Maguire is in a dark purple jacket in black pants with hands clasped over one knee. Rows of windows are in the background.

By Sloane Barlow

The Honors College hosted alumna Joanne Maguire (’75) last month to connect with and inspire students.

As former executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Maguire was the company’s first woman corporate officer. She was named of one of Fortune’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” and executed NASA missions such as the Orion crew vehicle, JUNO mission to Jupiter, and Phoenix Mars Lander.

This marked Maguire’s first visit back to Michigan State’s campus since her graduation. Her motivation to return: investment in undergraduate research.

For her first day back in East Lansing, she joined a luncheon with the Maguire Research Scholars. This cohort of high-achieving students within the Honors College’s Research Scholars Program have been provided with paid research opportunities thanks to Maguire’s sponsorship.

“It was uplifting and stimulating to meet these students,” Maguire noted. “I found them filled with curiosity and passion. And I was impressed with the collective breadth and individual depth of their research interests.”

Image of alumna Joanne Maguire and eight Honors College Research Scholars, standing in a line and smiling at the camera. All of them are in green shirts with white text that says "Maguire Research Scholars. Honors College". A colorful mural is in the background.

Maguire led an Honors College Fireside Chat the following day, open to all Honors students. She shared her story, starting with modest beginnings in a large family, graduating from Michigan State, and obtaining advanced degrees, to becoming Lockheed Martin’s first woman corporate officer.

“To students in a field where they are a minority: recognize that your minority status gives you substantially greater ‘visibility’,” Maguire said in a post-event interview. “It’s largely up to you whether that becomes an asset or a liability. If you commit to pursuing excellence, you’ll be noticed for the right things.”

Maguire dedicated her achievement to the many years she spent developing the interdisciplinary skills and attitudes that equipped her for her role. She stressed the importance of interdisciplinary skills to her audience of future leaders.

“It’s a balance,” Maguire said to the students. “Be ambitious, but be patient too. You’re not going to get there overnight – just enjoy the journey.”

After her campus visit, Maguire noted the impact current Honors College students left on her.

“I hope they take on board the idea that these college years are an ideal time to learn and practice ‘handling hard better’ and that they see that character counts more and more as one assumes greater career responsibilities,” Maguire said.

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