By Brandi Stover
The Honors College recently recognized five students for their community service through the Honors Giving Back Awards.
The awards – funded through a partnership with the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union – encourage students to reflect on and share their experiences serving their communities.
Students submitted a 2–3-minute visual presentation telling the story of their involvement.
“We have been so fortunate that the MSUFCU enables our dean to choose an area of emphasis for which we can honor our student’s work,” Assistant Dean of the Honors College Bess German said.
“The Giving Back Awards are now a beautiful tradition and way for our students to share their community engagement stories and the meaning and purpose which drives their inspirational involvement.”
MSUFCU Chief Financial Officer Sara Dolan served on the judging panel that determined the prize winners.
“As an organization dedicated to community service, MSUFCU is proud to sponsor the Giving Back Awards through our Dean’s Choice Grant program,” Dolan said.
“Each year, I am inspired by these talented and dedicated students who have made a difference in their community,” Dolan said. “Through storytelling, these students use their personal experiences to teach others about the power of giving back and how it has influenced their own journey and educational attainment.”
Jazz studies student Laura-Simone Martin won the $1,500 grand prize for her submission about founding Queen Amina Music, a program encouraging sisterhood through musical performance for young women.
“I am deeply honored and blessed to have been awarded first place in the 2024 HC Giving Back Awards,” Martin said.
“Community service to me is about ensuring that the knowledge and skills we acquire are not kept for ourselves, but are passed on to uplift others,” Martin said. “I believe mentorship and sharing the gifts we’ve received embody the essence of humanity.”
The second prize of $750 went to human biology major Saif Juma for his work founding and organizing the Student Emergency Response Team at MSU.
“I believe that engaging in community service shapes us as compassionate leaders and drives meaningful change, making it an essential part of our educational journey at the Honors College,” Juma said.
Brennan Haugen, a human biology and psychology double major, was the $250 third prize recipient. His submission highlighted founding a 501c3 nonprofit to support young people with disabilities in the Lansing area.
Laura-Simone Martin
Brennan Haugen“Allowing students to showcase their abilities through unique ways was fun and allowed us to reflect on our work and what we do,” Haugen said.
“I thought all the projects were different and had their own charm, and I very much enjoyed listening to others’ work and perspectives along with meeting new people,” he said.
Two students received honorable mentions and recognition at an awards ceremony alongside the winners. Those were neuroscience student Anum Latif and English major Marcos Garcia.
Congratulations to the award winners, and thank you to all the students who give back to their communities every day.