EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Eighteen high school graduates from throughout the country have been awarded Michigan State University's Alumni Distinguished Scholarship and University Distinguished Scholarship for 2010.
All students are members of MSU's Honors College.
They come to MSU for many reasons: the flexibility of the Honors College, the great variety of study abroad programs and the opportunity to work side-by-side with faculty conducting research.
The scholarships, which are considered among the most competitive awards in the country, are valued at about $90,000 for in-state students and $150,000 for out-of-state students. They cover full tuition, room and board and a stipend for up to eight semesters of study.
The following are brief profiles of the students.
Alumni Distinguished Scholars:
Whitney Benson
Independence, Minn.
Orono High School
Parents: James D. Benson and Mary Kay Ogaard
Academic interests: Chemical engineering, law, Spanish and political science
High school activities: All-State Choir, wind ensemble, lacrosse, Math Team and Mock Trial
"The breadth, flexibility and support the Honors College offers, in addition to having the opportunity to be a professorial assistant as an undergraduate, were strong factors in my decision to choose Michigan State."
Allison Bratzel
Wheaton, Ill.
Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Parents: Andrew and Carolyn Bratzel
Academic interests: Lyman Briggs, biology, chemistry and history
High school activities: Cross-country, track, Youth and Government and piano
"Michigan State provides me with the three things I was looking for in a college: excellent professors, flexibility in choosing my classes and a great study abroad program."
Michael Caldwell
Towson, Md.
Calvert Hall College High School
Parents: Mark and Stephanie Caldwell
Academic interests: Chemistry, materials science and engineering and physics
High school activities: Volleyball, ultimate Frisbee and peer education
"I chose MSU because of the benefits of Lyman Briggs, the Honors College and the research opportunities it provides. None of my other schools could ultimately compete with the combination of the three."
Kayla Felger
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Carroll High School
Parents: John and Amy Felger
Academic interests: Chemistry, art, history and music
High school activities: Track, Spell Bowl and National Honor Society
"Between the research opportunities, large campus and numerous activities, MSU is a great fit for my college plans."
Karin Hanisch
Ripon, Wis.
Ripon High School
Parent: Julie Mielka
Academic interests: Biochemistry, environmental studies, foreign language and microbiology
High school activities: Ripon Community Swim Club, music, forensics, Winnebago County Teen Court and cross country
"The Honors College at MSU offers unparalleled academic flexibility in the context of a friendly atmosphere. Where else do professors give their numbers with a ‘contact me anytime' to prospective students? Add that to a superb buffet of study abroad options, cutting-edge research opportunities for undergraduates and a campuswide dedication to service-learning, and one will find, just as I did, that an opportunity to attend MSU is an offer one simply can't refuse."
Samantha Herzing
Battle Creek
Pennfield High School
Parents: John and Michelle Herzing
Academic interests: Political science, economics, finance and journalism
High school activities: Soccer and drama
"The more I learn about MSU, the more I love it. The atmosphere, the research opportunities, everything about State fits everything about me."
Mari Isa
Ann Arbor
Pioneer High School
Parents: Shahrin and Paula Isa
Academic interests: Lyman Briggs, chemistry and Spanish
High school activities: Swim team, water polo, symphony orchestra and Spanish Honors Society
"Michigan State offers so many great opportunities. For me, the professorial assistantship, the residential college experience, the athletic programs and school spirit made my decision easy."
Shan Kothari
Canton Township
Plymouth High School
Parents: Nikhil and Smita Kothari
Academic interests: Lyman Briggs, zoology, anthropology, music, mathematics and philosophy
High school activities: Orchestra, Science Olympiad, Model United Nations, Quiz Bowl, Go Club and scientific research
"I loved the flexibility offered by the Honors College and the interdisciplinary nature of Lyman Briggs. I was excited by the possibility of being able to do research from my first semester."
Ben Malburg
Ludington
Ludington High School
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Mike Malburg and Ms. Pat Kajdan
Academic interests: Philosophy, literature, theology, math and psychology
High school activities: Soccer, baseball, swimming, Student Council and Quiz Bowl
"MSU has a great variety of programs, diversity in all areas and a vast array of academic and social opportunities."
Riley Marshall
Lexington, Ky.
Lexington Catholic High School
Parents: Jeff and Melody Marshall
Academic interests: Genomics and molecular genetics, mathematics, French and jazz studies
High school activities: Cross-country, jazz band and French Club
"MSU made me feel welcome. The flexibility offered by the Honors College, along with the study abroad and research opportunities, made for an easy decision. Besides, green's my favorite color."
Sydney Moroney
Loveland, Ohio
Milford High School
Parents: Rob and Natalie Moroney
Academic interests: Pre-veterinary and Spanish
High school activities: Jazz band and National Honor Society
"MSU is a huge school with great opportunities and programs. No matter what I decide to do, I know MSU will help me accomplish my goals."
Craig Pearson
Bloomfield Township
University of Detroit Jesuit High School
Parents: Steven and Jean Pearson
Academic interests: Biochemistry and creative writing
High school activities: Newspaper and cross-country
"I am extremely happy to be attending MSU because of its excellent biochemistry program and undergraduate research."
Hannah Selig
Holland
Black River Public School
Parents: Robert Selig and Barbara Springer-Selig
Academic interests: Anthropology, Arabic, Spanish and German
High school activities: Traveling, volunteering, swimming, reading and band
"I knew that I would get an exceptional education at MSU and all the opportunities that a large school affords but also the personal attention of a small institution."
Sarah Smaga
Franklin
Wylie E. Groves High School
Parents: John and Linda Smaga
Academic interests: Microbiology, math, Lyman Briggs, linguistics and international relations
High school activities: Debate, band and forensics
"I loved the campus and the people. Academically, I was drawn by a wide variety of opportunities for undergraduates in the Honors College and Lyman Briggs."
Grayson Wright
Newtown, Pa.
Pennsbury High School
Parents: Bruce and Melinda Wright
Academic interests: Electrical engineering, computer science, computational mathematics, physics and languages
High school activities: National Honor Society, Scholar's Bowl, Mathletics, Young Engineer's Club and ultimate Frisbee
"MSU's Honors College has been very helpful with using my AP credits, finding scholarships and allowing me to combine majors to get an exciting study program."
University Distinguished Scholars:
David Crouse
Ponder, Texas
Homeschool
Parents: Daniel and Stacy Crouse
Academic interests: Mechanical engineering, biomechanics, physics, mathematics and computer science
High school activities: Engineering research, Civil Air Patrol, volunteer service, church youth group and piano
"The Professorial Assistantship Program will enable me to engage in meaningful research from the moment I set foot on campus. The Honors College will enable me to take small, dynamic classes and to shape my own education."
Adam Liter
Eden Prairie, Minn.
Eden Prairie High School
Parents: Jeff and Jackie Liter
Academic interests: Engineering, linguistics, philosophy, political science and gender studies
High school activities: Student Council, Amnesty International and Environmental Club
"One of the major factors that contributed to my decision to attend MSU was the extensive study abroad opportunities at MSU."
Michael Malloy
Minnetonka, Minn.
Minnetonka High School
Parents: Matthew and Tamara Malloy
Academic interests: James Madison College, Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, public policy, urban studies, environmental science, English and history
High school activities: Quiz Bowl, debate team, school newspaper and sports writer for local newspaper
"The academic opportunities MSU offers - like the Honors College, James Madison College and the Professorial Assistantship Program - convinced me MSU is the right place for me."
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