By Audrey Richardson
The MSU Honors College awarded scholarships to three students following their community engagement on April 4, 2023. Winners for the 2023 Giving Back Awards were announced in person in the upper-level of Eustace-Cole Hall. This was the seventh year the Honors College facilitated the event.
The MSU Federal Credit Union sponsored the scholarships, and Assistant Dean Bess German gave opening remarks to the attendees.
Prior to the Giving Back Awards, “we didn’t see around campus any way that we could help students tell their stories of giving back in their communities,” German said. “We didn’t just want a judged competition, we wanted a way to share experiences.”
Students submitted a 2-3 minute visual presentation highlighting their community engagement. Their submissions were judged based on the magnitude of their volunteer work, their connection to the students goals, and quality of their presentation.
Social Relations and Policy third-year Ellie Friedman and human biology third-year Saif Juma were awarded honorable mentions for their volunteer work.
During the school year, Friedman was the President of MSU’s Tower Guard, which works closely with MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. Friedman spearheaded service opportunities and programming related to academic and social accessibility.
Saif volunteered with the Refugee Development Center. He spent time with a family from Syria, tutoring them for English, helping them with social skills, and more.
The third place prize was awarded to human biology third-year Aya Abu-Zama, who mentored at the Refugee Development Center and worked as the Vice President of MOSAIC, the Honors College multicultural appreciation club. Through MOSAIC, she helped initiate a workshop and volunteer bridge program.
Abu-Zama said community engagement has been “imperative for discovering my personal and academic goals.”
“In the future I do want to attend medical school and continue to be involved in service with my communities,” she said.
The second place prize was awarded to supply chain management second-yer Seohee Kim. Kim is the president of the Pearl Project MSU, an organization committed to providing free childcare for mothers to pursue their education.
“The lessons I’ve learned through this particular community engagement are enormous and are all applicable to my future business settings,” Kim said.
First place prize was awarded to human biology fourth-year Nupur Huria for her community engagement, which aimed to tackle period poverty and stigma.
Huria’s impact is seen wide throughout campus, as her push for free menstrual products in all restrooms at MSU has been implemented as of January 2023.
“My passion has grown immensely,” Huria said, “and has pushed me to challenge the current social norms.”
The Honors College is proud to recognize students making an impact in their communities.