Martin Luther King, Jr. Advancing Inclusion through Research Award
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and the empowerment of all people, we encourage MSU students to submit research papers and creative projects that reflect these values. Submissions might address themes of civil and human rights, the pursuit of social justice, and the voices and experiences of communities historically impacted by inequality.
MSU members of Honors College, James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, or the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities during the Fall 2024 semester are eligible to apply.
The authors of the top three projects will win monetary prizes and will be recognized in college and university-level communications.
First Prize: $600
Second Prize: $500
Third Prize: $300
Submissions from work completed between January 2024-December 2024 are due by 11:59 p.m., January 13, to Corrine Williams will4275@msu.edu. Please see below for application guidelines.
Please also consider presenting your work in person or online for additional prize consideration at the 2024 Diversity Research Showcase on Friday, January 24th 2025. A reception/forum and award ceremony for the winners will be held at the Diversity Research Showcase at 3:30pm that day.
Sponsored by: Honors College, James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, and the Residential College in Arts and Humanities
Application Guidelines
- All submissions must include a clear and thoughtful explanation of how the research paper/creative project connects to and advances inclusivity, in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. The length of this attachment should be no more than 2 pages.
- Research papers and texts supporting creative projects must be no more than 20 double-spaced pages; the suggested length is 10-20 pages.
- All sources and references should be appropriately cited.
- Be sure to write clearly and proofread your final work.
- All submitted work must have been completed in calendar year 2024. Submissions completed for a class or campus project are welcome.
- PLEASE include only your PID (and not your name) on a separate front page to your document.
A committee comprised of faculty, staff, and students from the sponsoring Colleges will select the winners of the MLK, Jr. Advancing Inclusion through Research Award. Winners will be announced shortly after MLK, Jr. Day 2025. Funds for winning entries will be placed into student accounts shortly thereafter, and are subject to MSU financial aid regulations.
Winners are strongly encouraged to submit their presentations for inclusion in the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum.
Permission Notice: All or parts of winning and non-winning projects may be published on the sponsoring Colleges’ websites. Sponsored by: Honors College, James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, and the Residential College in Arts and Humanities
| Previous Recipients | Year of Award |
| Claire Glenn (1st Place) | 2011 |
| Courtney Hurtt (2nd Place) | 2011 |
| Elizabeth Dunham (3rd Place) | 2011 |
| Mitch Goldsmith (Honorable Mention) | 2011 |
| Annie Norris (1st Place) | 2012 |
| Chelsea Yondo (1st Place) | 2012 |
| Leah Steinhauser (2nd Place) | 2012 |
| Jermayne Hairston (3rd Place) | 2012 |
| Natalie Lyon (1st Place) | 2013 |
| Corey Brown (2nd Place) | 2013 |
| Rachna Pannu (2nd Place) | 2013 |
| Lauren Pavlik (2nd Place) | 2013 |
| John Cody Roedel (2nd Place) | 2013 |
| Christine Rygiel (2nd Place) | 2013 |
| Emily Nott (3rd Place) | 2013 |
| Haley Carr (3rd Place) | 2013 |
| Kristiane Schmidt (1st Place) | 2014 |
| Mary Connolly (1st Place) | 2014 |
| Christopher Horn (1st Place) | 2014 |
| Margeaux LaCavera (1st Place) | 2014 |
| Levi Storks (1st Place) | 2014 |
| Jenny Crakes (3rd Place) | 2014 |
| Cameron Allie (1st Place) | 2015 |
| Rachel Barton (1st Place) | 2015 |
| Erin Gumpper (1st Place) | 2015 |
| Ali Haque (1st Place) | 2015 |
| Savana Swanson (1st Place) | 2015 |
| Jolisa Brooks (2nd Place) | 2015 |
| Sona Movsisyan (3rd Place) | 2015 |
| Hannah Jenuwine (Honorable Mention) | 2015 |
| Leon Hister (Honorable Mention) | 2015 |
| Ryan Tarr (Honorable Mention) | 2015 |
| Kairston Nitsch (1st Place) | 2016 |
| Ewurama Dankah (2nd Place) | 2016 |
| Brittany Ladson (3rd Place) | 2016 |
| Sydnee Wargo (3rd Place) | 2016 |
| Tia Barbera (3rd Place) | 2016 |
| Erin Schaner (3rd Place) | 2016 |
| Lindsay Dean (3rd Place) | 2016 |
| Leon Hister (1st Place) | 2017 |
| Heidi Kurniawan (2nd Place) | 2017 |
| Erin Paskus (3rd Place) | 2017 |
| Brittany Wise (1st Place) | 2018 |
| Peyton Del Toro (2nd Place) | 2018 |
| Florence Rhodes (3rd Place) | 2018 |
| Katarina Huss (1st Place) | 2019 |
| Arzelia Williams (2nd Place) | 2019 |
| Jonathan Walkotten (3rd Place) | 2019 |
| Alex Barshaw (Honorable Mention) | 2019 |
| Taylor Toth (1st Place) | 2024 |
| Adrianna Roth (2nd Place) | 2024 |
| Stephanie Adams (3rd Place) | 2024 |
| Jordan Roebuck (Honorable Mention) | 2024 |
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