5/6/2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Selected from the top 5 percent of the freshman class at Michigan State University, 66 academically talented students were inducted into Tower Guard, a service organization for MSU students and employees with disabilities.
Over the next year, the students will spend four hours per week, or a total of 120 hours, reading textbooks onto audiotape or in person to aid individuals with reading impairments. In addition, the students must raise $80 and participate in two volunteer projects.
Each year, incoming sophomores are chosen to carry on the tradition based on their academic excellence, leadership, outstanding character and commitment to service.
"The Tower Guard members are a phenomenal group of dedicated young people," said Virginia Martz, a blindness/visual impairment specialist in the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). "The personal commitment the members have to their fellow students is unique. I am always impressed by the character of the Tower Guard members and their devotion to the student community as well as academics."
"This organization helped me develop my leadership skills and get involved in community service activities," said Jake AcMoody, economics sophomore and current Tower Guard president. "I have really learned the importance of helping out your fellow MSU students."
Founded in 1934 by May Shaw, the wife of former MSU President Robert Shaw, Tower Guard is the oldest student-led organization on campus. It is a branch of RCPD, which was created in 1971 to give equal access to an MSU education for all students.
Working with the Tower Guard's approximately 70 members, the center assists mobility and visually disabled students and employees, as well as provides services for the deaf and those with learning disabilities, brain injuries and various chronic health conditions.
The following freshmen from Michigan were inducted into Tower Guard:
Allen Park
Chelsea Logan, daughter of Bill and Toni Logan of Allen Park, is majoring in marketing.
Bath
Tim Seeger, son of David and Mary Seeger of Bath, is majoring in computer engineering and is a member of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Bay City
Michelle Osentoski, daughter of Thomas and Kari Osentoski of Bay City, is majoring in child development. She also participates in Friendshop, an after school support and enrichment program for elementary children in Lansing and East Lansing.
Bloomfield Hills
Kyle Grindling, son of Tracy Grindling of Bloomfield Hills and Kathy LaMothe of Metamora, is majoring in pre-med and human biology in Lyman Briggs School. He is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and plays intramural soccer and basketball.
Canton
Jennifer Bordin, daughter of Robert and Cynthia Bordin of Canton, is majoring in criminal justice and plays softball on an intramural team.
Chesaning
Molly Messinger, daughter of Michael and Ann Messinger of Chesaning, is majoring in interdisciplinary social sciences and is a member of the Izzone, the largest student-operated spirit section in college basketball.
Clinton Township
Chris Mykytiak, son of Robert and Lonnie Mykytiak of Clinton Township, is a no-preference student.
Coloma
Elizabeth Muellen, daughter of John Muellen of Baroda and Hilda Montey of Coloma, is a zoology major in Lyman Briggs School and is a greencoat security student for the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety.
Dearborn
Elizabeth Blazo, daughter of Richard and Anne Blazo of Dearborn, is majoring in accounting. She is a representative on the Associated Students of MSU Freshman Council, treasurer of Wilson Hall student government and an escort for MSU's Sparty mascot through the Student Alumni Foundation.
Detroit
Lauren Walker, daughter of Paul and Kathy Walker of Detroit, has a dual major in pre-veterinary science and French. She is a member of the Honors College and Minorities Offering Students an Interactive Community.
East Jordan
Eleanor Priest is majoring in astrophysics in Lyman Briggs School.
East Lansing
Jennifer Wein, daughter of Jack and Adrienne Wein of East Lansing, is an economics major and is involved in MSU Spartan Connectors program, in which upperclassmen act as personal mentors to assist first-year students in an alcohol-free transition to MSU.
Fairhaven
Julie Ziobro, daughter of Timothy and Suzanne Ziobro of Fairhaven, is majoring in zoology. She is a member of the MSU Marching Band and Campus Band and is a professorial assistant through the Honors College.
Farmington
Sarah Nalett is majoring in history.
Flint
Sarah Ward, daughter of Lloyd and Karen Ward of Flint, is majoring in microbiology. Lindsay Willet, daughter of Gail Willet of Flint, is majoring in political theory and constitutional democracy.
Flushing
Justin Gengler, son of Dean and Marie Gengler of Flushing, has a dual major in political theory and constitutional democracy and international relations in James Madison College. He is also a member of the James Madison Student Senate, National Collegiate Honor Society, the Honors College and the Pre-Law Society.
Fort Gratiot
Jade Semrow, daughter of Jeff and Jane Semrow of Fort Gratiot, is a business major.
Grand Blanc
Katherine Barnes, daughter of Gary and Ruth Barnes of Grand Blanc, has a dual major in communication and advertising.
Stephanie Richards, daughter of Kenneth and Kathy Richards of Grand Blanc, is a no-preference student and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Crystal Spaulding, daughter of David and Pat Spaulding of Grand Blanc, is a no-preference student. She is a varsity swim team member and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Grand Rapids
Lee Mueller, son of Gregory and Linda Mueller of Grand Rapids, is majoring in pre-med in Lyman Briggs School. He is a member of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Eco, a student environmental activism group.
Elizabeth Conover, daughter of Frederick Conover and Virginia Wieringe of Grand Rapids, is a no-preference student.
Kirsten Keyt, daughter of Pamela Keyt of Grand Rapids, is majoring in theatre and participates in the Residential Option in Arts and Letters program, which brings together students with common academic interests in the arts and humanities to share in a residential living environment.
Grandville
Taemyn Hollis, daughter of Edward and Jean Hollis of Grandville, is a pre-med and human biology major in Lyman Briggs School. She is involved in the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, Freshman Class Council, Student Alumni Foundation, Holmes Residence Hall Orientation Team, Honors Students Actively Recruiting and is a campus tour guide.
Hastings
Kristen Wildern, daughter of Steve and Toni Wildern of Hastings, is a pre-dentistry major. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and participates in intramural sports.
Highland
Jordan Castle, son of Steven Castle and Kathy Augustine of Highland, is majoring in pre-med. He is a member of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Shaun O'Toole is majoring in pre-med and human biology in Lyman Briggs School.
Holland
Julie Bosch, daughter of Gordon and Ellyn Bosch of Holland, is a student in Lyman Briggs School, where she is also an ambassador. She is a member of the Honors College.
Ionia
Katherine Badder, daughter of Robert and Marie Badder of Ionia, has a dual major in English and secondary education. She is also a member of the Honors College.
Jackson
Kathryn Lemerich, daughter of Robert and Regina Botsford of Jackson, is a no-preference student. She is a member of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity and a representative in student government in Akers Hall, where she will be a mentor next year. She also volunteers at Allen Street Elementary School in Lansing.
Jenison
Kelly Volker, daughter of Gary and Judy Volker of Jenison, is majoring in English.
Kalamazoo
Jennifer Stephens, daughter of Phillip and Cindy Stephens of Kalamazoo, is majoring in social work.
Jeremy Nufer is majoring in political science and pre-law.
Richard Klop, son of Jim and Lan Klop of Kalamazoo, is majoring in mechanical engineering. He is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Residential Option for Science and Engineering Students program in which students with similar academic interests and career goals share an on-campus residence.
Kentwood
Andrea Knauf, daughter of Robert and Susan Knauf of Kentwood, is majoring in education. She is a member of the MSU Ski Club and the National Honor Society.
Livonia
Kelly Grigg, daughter of Steve and Gail Grigg of Livonia, is majoring in finance. Jennifer Gumas is majoring in zoology.
Macomb
Cherie Ford, daughter of Tim and Tammy Ford of Macomb, is majoring in pre-med and microbiology in Lyman Briggs School. She is a member of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars.
Maybee
Marie Wells is a no-preference student.
McBain
Matt Paffhouse, son of Greg and Karlene Paffhouse of McBain, is a no-preference student. He is a member of the MSU Scuba Club and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Muskegon
Michael Lundholm, son of John Lundholm of Grand Haven and Diane Sluis of Muskegon, is a pre-med major.
North Muskegon
Ken Klaes, son of Christine Klaes of North Muskegon, is majoring in astrophysics. He is a member of the MSU Campus Band and the Society of Physics Students.
Okemos
Rachel Leone, daughter of Les and Mary Leone of Okemos, is majoring in marketing. She is a member of Campus Crusade for Christ and winner of the Phi Kappa Phi Freshman Achievement Award.
Portage
Sarah Hojnacki, daughter of David and Laura Hojnacki of Portage, is majoring in human biology.
Richmond
Sara Teller, daughter of Duane and Marianne Teller of Richmond, has a dual major in English and general management. She is a member of the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience and National Collegiate Honors Society and plays co-ed football.
Rochester
Erin Brunmeier, daughter of Allan and Pam Brunmeier of Rochester, is a general management major. She is also a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is a representative in Akers Hall student government.
Royal Oak
Brent Martin, son of Scott and Sandy Martin of Royal Oak, is a no-preference student.
Saline
Samantha Hutchins is majoring in finance.
Sterling Heights
Kurt Piwko is a pre-law major.
Shelby Township
Katherine Neddermeyer, daughter of John and Patricia Neddermeyer of Shelby Township, is majoring in elementary education. She received the MSU Alumni Distinguished Scholarship and the Eleanor J. Potchen Award from the MSU College of Education.
St. Johns
Katie Miller, daughter of Marian Miller and Robin Miller of St. Johns, is majoring in elementary education.
Tecumseh
Lesley Feight is a majoring in psychology. Troy Sze-Ling Ng, daughter of Chin-Choon Chan and Hon-Ting Ng of Troy, has a dual major in biochemistry and chemistry. She is a member of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, vice president of Minorities Offering Students an Interactive Community and a mentor in the Spartan Connector Program and is involved in Honors Students Actively Recruiting.
Utica
Jessica Oniga, daughter of Louis and Sharon Oniga of Utica, is majoring in packaging. She is a member of the MSU Run Club and has participated in several campus races.
Walled Lake
Tessa Dake, daughter of Paul and Kay Dake of Walled Lake, is majoring in physiology. Wayland Barbara Tuinstra, daughter of Dave and Lori Tuinstra of Wayland, is majoring in elementary education and is involved in the Read to Succeed tutoring program for children.
West Olive
Katy Hoenecke is a no-preference student.
The following new Tower Guard members are from out of state:
Cody, Wyo.
Andrew Jones is majoring in pre-med and microbiology in Lyman Briggs School.
Des Plaines, Ill.
Kathleen Ranos, daughter of John and Karen Ranos of Des Plaines, Ill., is majoring in zoology. She is a member of the Honors College and the Zoology Association.
Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Leslie Strong, daughter of Dan and Joanne Strong of Hoffman Estates, Ill., is majoring in zoology. She is a member of the Honors College and National Society of Collegiate Scholars and has won the Spartan Academic, Legacy and BSC Wharton Memorial scholarships.
Kendallville, Ind.
Kara Corps, daughter of Michael and Belinda Corps of Kendallville, Ind., is a pre-veterinary science major. She is a member of the Honors College and the Pre-Veterinarian Medical Association.
Elkhorn, Neb.
Kelly Megel, daughter of Steven and Deborah Megel of Elkhorn, Neb., has a dual major in advertising and telecommunication. She is a member of the American Ad Association, MSU Ad Association, Spartan Connectors, Women's Glee Club and Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and is the public relations chairperson of Holden Hall student government.
North Platte, Neb.
David Newton, son of Rich and Denise Newton of North Platte, Neb., is majoring in microbiology and is a member of the Honors College.
Powell, Wyo.
Katie Bieber, daughter of Ray and Cheryl Bieber of Powell, Wyo., is a physiology major in Lyman Briggs School. She is a member of Spartan Christian Fellowship, MSU Collegiate Choir and the Honors College.
South Korea
Hsiao-Ming Wei, son of Lung Hai and Teresa Wei of South Korea, is majoring in business.