6/5/2001
Nine of Michigan State University's 17 Alumni Distinguished Scholars and University Distinguished Scholars for 2001 come from Michigan and eight come from California, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
The students all have outstanding records of academic and personal achievements:
- Average ACT score: 34/36
- Average SAT score: 1530/1600
- Average high school grade point average on a 4.0 scale: 4.07
Stuart Bergstrom
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
Grand Haven
Grand Haven High School
Academic interests: electrical engineering, band
High school activities: marching band, Science Olympiad, Bucs' Blade newspaper
Parents: Richard and Beth Bergstrom
"MSU offers me the options and opportunities that I desire in my college years. Also, the campus is beautiful, which will make the years I spend at MSU all the more enjoyable."
Mark Bly
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Bishop Dwenger High School
Academic interests: materials science, engineering, philosophy
High school activities: National Honor Society, Science Academic Team, cross country, baseball
Parents: Robert and Janice Bly
"Almost immediately I felt comfortable on the Michigan State campus. Everyone I met was kind, courteous and considerate. It became evident to me that MSU has an environment conducive to a positive college experience. With a top-notch educational system present as well, the choice became less difficult."
Joshua Boehme
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
East Lansing
East Lansing High School
Academic interests: mathematics, computer science
High school activities: Amnesty International, band
Parents: Scott and Martha Boehme
"The campus is a comfortable environment. I like the fact that the Honors College givens me more flexibility and control."
Anne Bresler
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
Livonia
Churchill High School
Academic interests: English, history
High school activities: theatre, dance, student council, National Honor Society
Parents: William and Susan Bresler
"I chose MSU because it has all the advantages of a large university, while still providing a smaller community, and a close, personal touch through the Honors College."
Daniel D'Arcangelis
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
Portage
Portage Northern High School
Academic interests: accounting, computer science, mathematics
High school activities: orchestra, tennis, Business Professionals of America
Parents: Aurelio and Judy D'Arcangelis
"I chose MSU because the Honors College will allow me to create a program uniquely suited to my needs, interests and varied talents."
Helena Kopchick
University Distinguished Scholar
Delmar, N.Y.
Bethlehem Central High School
Academic interests: music, history, English, Russian and German languages
High School activities: theatre, Empire State Youth Orchestra, Sound System Singers
Parents: Daniel and Patricia Kopchick
"MSU provides a rigorous musical environment without sacrificing high academic standards."
Anne Kopicko
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
Farmington
Marian High School
Academic interests: biology, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, languages, fine arts
High school activities: theatre, literary magazine, Science Olympiad, Lyceum Philosophy Club, Model United Nations
Parents: Robert and Karen Kopicko
"The opportunities, freedom and flexibility of the MSU Honors College and Lyman Briggs School interested me initially, but I value balance as well. Numerous student activities and a diverse campus, which I experienced first-hand, convinced me that MSU is my best college option."
Karen Lind
University Distinguished Scholar
Plano, Texas
Plano Senior High School
Academic interests: linguistics, history, geography, psychology
High school activities: computers, reading, films
Parents: Scott and Janet Lind
"I opened the Web page, saw a picture of the campus and was hooked. I kept researching and couldn't find any reason why MSU wasn't the perfect school for me."
Benjamin Lorson
University Distinguished Scholar
Montoursville, Pa.
Montoursville High School
Academic interests: Lyman Briggs School, chemistry, mass communications
High school activities: National Honor Society, baseball manager, Key Club, Mock Trial, Peer Helpers, announcer for football and girls' basketball games
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Allen Lorson
"I was impressed with the campus and numerous opportunities at MSU. The area, staff and incredible academic program exceeded all others."
Michael Lowe
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
Hardin, Mont.
Billings Central Catholic High School
Academic interests: materials science, engineering, history, religion, English literature
High school activities: team debate, varsity soccer, volleyball manager, National Honor Society, student council
Parents: Daniel and Laura Lowe
"Michigan State's congenial atmosphere and Honors College made its balance of a strong engineering program and options in the humanities very attractive."
Vinayak Prasad
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
La Porte, Ind.
La Porte High School
Academic interests: pre-medicine, biology, chemistry, writing, computer science, math
High school activities: Academic Decathlon, Academic Super Bowl, Quiz Bowl, Math Club, basketball, golf, tennis, softball
Parents: Ram and Padma Prasad
"I chose Michigan State University for its solid, top-class medical program; dynamic, helpful staff; and flexible curriculum."
Sandra Richardson
A lumni Distinguished Scholar Clarkston
Notre Dame Preparatory
Academic interests: pre-veterinary science, music, art, writing, reading
High school activities: teaching private violin lessons, Oakland Youth Orchestra
Parents: Peter and Lois Richardson
"I first became interested in MSU because of the veterinary college and the orchestra program. Becoming an Alumni Distinguished Scholar and being offered a professorial assistantship made MSU the obvious choice among all the schools to which I had applied."
Kevin Roth
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
Shelby Township
Dwight D. Eisenhower Senior High School
Academic interests: history, James Madison College, languages, economics, sociology
High school activities: captain of the school's state and national championship Quiz Bowl team
Parents: Richard Jr. and Frances Roth
"My decision was largely based on the existence of an excellent Honors College, myriad study abroad programs and James Madison College. I was offered many generous scholarships from many other colleges, but none of the other colleges came close to MSU in the field of attractive programs. I was very much attracted by the professorial assistant program, the likes of which I could find nowhere else."
Natalie Stein
University Distinguished Scholar
Toluca Lake, Calif.
North Hollywood High School
Academic interests: physics, psychology, Lyman Briggs School
High school activities: cross country, track, Math Club, Science Bowl Parents: Robert Stein and Mindy Liberman
"MSU had the best combination of academics, research for underclassmen and athletics. It was also the friendliest college I looked at."
Hilary Wade
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
Holland Hamilton High School
Academic interests: human biology, Spanish, pre-medicine, English literature, music
High school activities: orchestra, drama, Dutch dance Parents: Robert and Wendy Wade
"MSU provided me with the best academic package as well as the best financial package. This is an unbeatable combination."
Amanda Wahlig
University Distinguished Scholar
Riverdale, Ga.
Lovejoy High School
Academic interests: interdisciplinary studies in social science, sociology, pre-law
High school activities: band, Mock Trial, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Special Olympics, church activities
Parents: Keith and Brenda Wahlig
"I chose MSU because the academic programs along with the extra-curricular activities it offers surpassed all of the other colleges I looked at."
Thomas Wolf
Alumni Distinguished Scholar
East Lansing
East Lansing High School
Academic interests: computer science, philosophy, psychology, mathematics
High school activities: Film Club, cross country, track, Amnesty International
Parents: Patrick and Peggy Wolf
"A full ride to a respectable school is difficult to turn down, and the Honors College makes MSU a place where I can really learn what and how I want."