Twelve images taken by Spartans from locations around the world have been selected as the winners of the 2016 Global Focus photo competition.
Now in its 18th year, the international photo contest recognizes MSU faculty, staff, students and alumni who have captured exceptional images while abroad for work, study or personal travel.
The images, which have to be original photographs taken outside the United States, were judged on a variety of factors including creativity, relevance to MSU’s international mission and quality. A panel of judges reviewed close to 100 entries before deciding on the first, second and third place winners in three categories: student, faculty/staff and alumni.
This year’s winning images can be viewed on the International Studies and Programs website.
Student
- First place: “At the Pump” by Ryan Vroegindewey
- Second place: “Moving the Herd Before the Storm” by Aimee Swenson
- Third place: “Bailadora Andaluza” by Gaëlle Bottex
- People’s Choice: “Life at the Bay” by Praveena Lakshmanan
Faculty/Staff
- First place: “Culture and Diversity” by Syed Waqar Haider
- Second place: “Finbar247 - Work in Progress” by Leigh Graves Wolf
- Third place: “Bike Commuting” by Steven Gold
- People's Choice: “Don’t you just love French villages?” by Andrea Funkhouser
Alumni
- First place: “Pastoralism Challenges” by Kirk Mason
- Second place: “Pineapple Harvest” by Erin Cardwell
- Third place: “Picture in a Picture” by Anne Desiderio
- People’s Choice: “Thailand Smiles” by Sarah Scott
The judging panel included Mohammad Khalil, associate professor of religious studies, adjunct professor of law and director of the Muslim Studies Center; Mamduh Muridi, undergraduate student studying mechanical engineering; and Maureen Handrahan, Office of International Health and Safety. The people’s choice winners were selected through public online voting.
The winning photos will be displayed in MSU’s International Center lobby and featured in the annual MSU International magazine and other university publications to promote international awareness and understanding.