Ten exceptional senior students have been named to the 2016-17 Homecoming Court.
The students, who were endorsed by an individual or an organization, were chosen through a very selective process.
Referred to as “ambassadors,” the students were evaluated based on leadership, community involvement, academic excellence and Spartan pride. A group of MSU faculty, staff, alumni and students conducted interviews with the students to select the final 10 court ambassadors.
“Having come on board at MSU last summer, this was my first year being part of the selection process for Homecoming Court,” said Krysta Coleman, Homecoming Court adviser. “I heard over and over from those who have been a part of the process for years that this year’s group of applicants was one of the most impressive they had seen in quite some time which had yielded a strong, diverse Homecoming Court that I know our Spartans will be proud of.”
“I have to say: I am so glad that I am an adviser and not one of the judges on the selection committee – they truly had their work cut out for them!”
The students will begin their duties as ambassadors this summer, as they will be representing the MSU student body at various alumni, community and university engagements.
“It is a huge honor to be chosen as an MSU Homecoming Court ambassador, and to have the opportunity to represent the intelligent, diverse, world-changing student body we have here,” said 2016-17 ambassador Julianne Streukens. “I believe Spartans Will forge new paths and try things that no one has ever dared to do before.”
The ambassadors will continue their Homecoming Court commitment through the 2016-17 school year. During homecoming week, Oct. 10-15, ambassadors will attend many functions, including the parade on Oct. 14 and the football game on Oct. 15.
The 2016-17 court includes:
Claire Bratzel, of Wheaton, Illinois. She is majoring in social relations and policy and minoring in science, technology, the environment and public policy in James Madison College. She is a member of the Honors College.
Elexis Grimes, of Eastpointe. She is majoring in accounting and minoring in international business in the Broad College of Business.
Ahmad Hassan, of Dearborn. He is majoring in food industry management in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Ellen Hicks, of Pinckney. She is majoring in psychology in the College of Social Science and minoring in communicative sciences and disorders in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. She is a member of the Honors College.
Lazarius Miller, of Detroit. He is majoring in biological sciences and minoring in integrated science in the College of Natural Science, and majoring in secondary science education and minoring in educational studies in the College of Education.
Jason Porter, of Milford, New Hampshire. He is majoring in political science in the College of Social Science.
Alexa Ruestman, of St. Johns. She is majoring in social relations and policy and minoring in public relations in James Madison College. She is a member of the Honors College.
Dorothy Shewchuck, of Charlotte. She is majoring in international relations in James Madison College and minoring in Mandarin with a specialization in business.
Julianne Streukens, of Flushing. She is majoring in microbiology and genomics and molecular genetics and minoring in cognitive science in the College of Natural Science. She is a member of the Honors College.
Katrine Weismantle, of Oak Park, Illinois. She is majoring in social work in the College of Social Science and minoring in women and gender studies and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and sexuality studies in the College of Arts and Letters.
This year's Homecoming theme is "Spartans For Life" which honors Spartans of all ages who share and will share the MSU experience. The 2016 grand marshals are Tom and Lupe Izzo. After more than two decades within the MSU community, they epitomize the "Spartans for Life" Homecoming theme. Read the grand marshal page to learn more about the Izzos.
For more on Homecoming, go here.