6/26/2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Strong character and leadership, combined with academic excellence form the basis for the selection of members in Michigan State University Tower Guard, a service and volunteer organization.
Seventy students were chosen from the top 5 percent of the freshman class to carry on the tradition of assisting MSU employees and students with disabilities.
Tower Guard members provide a valuable service to the MSU community by devoting at least four hours a week producing electronic text and reading textbooks for blind and visually impaired students. More than 85 percent of the reading for the blind is done by the Tower Guard, thus maintaining MSU's outstanding service to students with disabilities.
"The biggest benefit is between the students," said Virginia Martz, a blindness/visual impairment specialist with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). "They are a fantastic group of students and we couldn't do what we do without them."
The benefit of the program goes both ways, as those assisting and those receiving the service get to know someone with whom they may not have had contact, Martz said.
Tower Guard was formed in 1932 when Mary Shaw, wife of former MSU President Robert Shaw, established the group as a freshman counselor system for women. In 1977, Tower Guard became the sophomore honorary and service society that it is today. Tower Guard is the oldest active student organization on campus. It is the only student organization that holds the key to Beaumont Tower.
The following freshmen from Michigan were recently inducted into Tower Guard:
Ann Arbor
Lauren Josefowicz, daughter of Greg and Carol Josefowicz. She is a 2002 graduate of Pioneer High School and is majoring in dietetics.
Bloomfield Hills
Julia Jaworski, daughter of Frank and Gail Jaworski. She is a 2002 graduate of Andover High School and is majoring in communication.
William Rule, son of Doug and Alison Rule. He is a 2002 graduate of Birmingham Groves High School and is majoring in accounting.
Brighton
Brittany Williams, daughter of Doug and Colleen Williams. She is a 2002 graduate of Brighton High School and is majoring in interior design.
Burton
Rachel Danko, daughter of Christopher and Deborah Danko. She is a 2002 graduate of Powers Catholic High School and is majoring is special education/learning disabilities.
Canton
Shannon Miller, daughter of Robert and Colleen Miller. She is a 2002 graduate of Plymouth Salem High School and is majoring in pre-medicine/human biology.
Clarkston
Cassandra Hart, daughter of Tim and Susette Hart. She is a 2002 graduate of Clarkston High School and is majoring in education.
Concord
Kristy Snell, daughter of Howard and Shelley Snell. She is a 2002 graduate of Concord High School and is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Davison
Lindsay Baker, daughter of Ben and Beth Baker. She is a 2002 graduate of Davison High School and is majoring in chemistry.
Kristin Terbrack, daughter of Mike and Cheryl Terbrack. She is a 2002 graduate of Kearsley High School and is majoring in veterinary medicine.
Dearborn
Jacqueline Wayne Guite, daughter of Jim Guite and Marilyn Wayne. She is a 2002 graduate of Mercy High School and is majoring in journalism, and apparel and textiles.
Eaton Rapids
Kelly Wilson, daughter of Pete and Lisa Wilson. She is a 2002 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School and is majoring in general business management.
Grand Blanc
Megan Conquest, daughter of Dan and Beth Conquest. She is a 2002 graduate of Grand Blanc High School and is majoring in communication.
Jessica West, daughter of Jeff and Becky West. She is a 2002 graduate of Grand Blanc High School and is majoring in biochemistry.
Grand Rapids
Emily Stoddard, daughter of Bob and Anne Stoddard. She is a 2002 graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School and is majoring in English.
Steven Kent, son of Thomas and Barbara Kent. He is a 2002 graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School and is a no-preference major.
Grosse Ile
Elizabeth Daily, daughter of Doug and Marcia Daily. She is a 2002 graduate of Grosse Ile High School and is majoring in special education.
Grosse Pointe
Park Michelle Schmidt, daughter of Michael and Karen Schmidt. She is a 2002 graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School and is majoring in zoology.
Haslett
Stephanie Brandl, daughter of Michael and Myra Brandl. She is a 2002 graduate of Haslett High School and is majoring in astrophysics.
Hemlock
Karen Luplow, daughter of Martin and Linda Luplow. She is a 2002 graduate of Hemlock High School and is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine.
Holt
Liz Ebersole, daughter of Bob and Diane Ebersole. She is a 2002 graduate of Holt High School and is majoring in French and German.
Imlay City
James Kramek Jr., son of James and Cynthia Kramek. He is a 2002 graduate of Imlay City High School and is majoring in building construction management.
Indian River
Kerri Prediger, daughter of Kevin and Dianna Prediger. She is 2002 graduate of Inland Lakes High School and is a student in the Lyman Briggs School, College of Natural Science.
Ionia
Abna Jeffers, daughter of Kevin and Anne Jeffers. She is a 2002 graduate of Ionia High School and is majoring in biochemistry.
Macomb
Sarah Quraishi, daughter of Aleram and Laurie Quraishi. She is a 2002 graduate of Henry Ford II High School and is majoring in English.
Madison Heights
Hao Luong, son of Andy and Michelle Giang. He is a 2002 graduate of Ferndale High School and is majoring in pre-medicine.
Midland
Clarissa Birk, daughter of Robert and Jenny Birk. She is a 2002 graduate of Midland High School and is majoring in human resource management.
Peter Gray, son of Fred and Bonnie Gray. He is a 2002 graduate of Dow High School and is majoring in accounting.
Monroe
Angela Hiner, daughter of James and Nancy Hiner. She is a 2002 graduate of Jefferson High School and is majoring in integrative social sciences.
Muskegon
Jamie Gillhespy, daughter of Bill and Maria Gillhespy. She is a 2002 graduate of Fruitport High School and is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine.
Sarah Yerkie, daughter of Mike Yerkie and Amy Jo Terry. She is a 2002 graduate of Whitehall High School and is majoring in human biology and pre-optometry.
Kim Le, daughter of Thu and Lisa Le. She is a 2002 graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School and is majoring in human biology and pre-medicine.
Derek Plunkett, son of Mike and Kim Plunkett. He is a 2002 graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School and is majoring in human biology.
New Haven
Stephanie Quandt, daughter of Michael and Barbara Quandt. She is a 2002 graduate of Armada High School and is majoring in studio art and art education.
Northville
Kimberly Veres, daughter of Robert and Christina Veres. She is a 2002 graduate of Northville High School and is a no-preference major.
Oakley
Laura Kensrud, daughter of Terry and Wanda Kensrud. She is a 2002 graduate of Chesaning High School and is majoring in human biology.
Otisville
Rachel Warby, daughter of Ralph and Debra Warby. She is a 2002 graduate of Lakeville Memorial High School and is majoring in physiology.
Petoskey
Michelle Martincheck, daughter of Grant and Mary Martincheck. She is a 2002 graduate of Petoskey High School and is majoring in microbiology.
Pinconning
Jonathan Gittins, son of Archie and Julie Gittins. He is a 2002 graduate of Pinconning High School and is majoring in chemistry.
Plainwell
Joshua Mastenbrook, son of Larry and Lexanne Mastenbrook. He is a 2002 graduate of Plainwell High School and is majoring in zoology.
Portage
Jessica Mungovan, daughter of Kevin and Marci Mungovan. She is a 2002 graduate of Portage High School and is majoring in business management.
Rochester
Ryan Hover, son of Michael and Cindy Hover. He is a 2002 graduate of Rochester Adams High School and is a no-preference major.
Priya Iyer, daughter of Murali and Radha Iyer. She is a 2002 graduate of Rochester High School and is a no-preference major.
Rochester Hills
Christine Hoppesch, daughter of John and Maryanne Hoppesch. She is a 2002 graduate of Rochester Adams High School and is majoring in accounting.
Rockford
Brenna Swider, daughter of Stan and Carla Swider. She is a 2002 graduate of Rockford High School and is a no-preference major.
Romeo
Melissa Gallego, daughter of Gil and Cindy Gallego. She is a 2002 graduate of Romeo High School and is majoring in zoology and Spanish.
Saline
Jason Tuck, son of David Tuck and Valerie Brown. He is a 2002 graduate of Saline High School and is majoring in computer science and finance.
Southfield
Dana Woodberg, daughter of Steven Woodberg and Barbara Miller of Ohio. She is a 2002 graduate of Groves High School and is majoring in general business administration.
Swartz Creek
Stephen Shaw, son of Matthew and Tammy Shaw. He is a 2002 graduate of Swartz Creek High School and is majoring in chemical engineering.
Traverse City
Daniel MacArthur, son of David and Helen MacArthur. He is a 2002 graduate of Traverse City Central High School and is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine.
Brittany Gregory, daughter of Kenneth and Palsy Gregory. She is a 2002 graduate of Traverse City West Senior High School and is majoring in microbiology.
Trenton
Jeanie Lynn Cote, daughter of Mike and Cheryl Cote. She is a 2002 graduate of Trenton High School and is majoring in nutritional science.
West Branch
Tennille Jameson, daughter of John Furca and Brenda Bertossi and daughter of Wayne Jameson. She is a 2002 graduate of Ogemaw Heights High School and is majoring in pre-medicine.
West Bloomfield
Sarah Swistak, daughter of Leonard and Patricia Swistak. She is a 2002 graduate of West Bloomfield High School and is majoring in journalism.
Melissa Bartley, daughter of Robert and Amy Bartley. She is a 2002 graduate of Walled Lake Central High School and is majoring in audiology and speech sciences.
Whitehall
Lindsay Beckeman, daughter of Dan and Laurie Beckeman. She is a 2002 graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School and is majoring in elementary education.
Williamston
Michael Sachau, son of David and Denise Sachau. He is a 2002 graduate of Lansing Catholic Central High School and is majoring in mechanical engineering.
Woodland
Allison Eavey, daughter of Alan and Valerie Eavey. She is a 2002 graduate of Lakewood High School and is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine.
Ypsilanti
Virginia Birringer, daughter of Ken and Barb Birringer. She is a 2002 graduate of Ypsilanti High School and is majoring in elementary education.
The following new Tower Guard members are from out of state:
Kerman, Calif.
Paul Toste, son of Paul and Susan Toste. He is a 2002 graduate of Kerman High School and is majoring in human biology.
Lombard, Ill.
Chris Hagel, son of Gerald and Sue Hagel. He is a 2002 graduate of Glenbord East High School and is majoring in English and social science.
Wilmette, Ill.
Andrew Davis, son of Robert and Hedy Davis. He is a 2002 graduate of New Trier High School and is majoring in chemistry.
Veedensburg, Ind.
Ray George, son of Steve and Regina George. He is a 2002 graduate of Covington High School and is majoring in fisheries and wildlife.
Sylvania, Ohio
Christine Oswald, daughter of Thomas and Catherine Oswald. She is a graduate of Notre Dame Academy and is a no-preference major.
Rock Springs, Wyo.
James Kalabus, son of Robert and Pun Ok Kalabus. He is a 2002 graduate of Rock Springs High School and is majoring in secondary education.