Feb. 18, 2021
$100,000 in scholarships awarded at annual networking celebration
The Michigan State University College of Engineering awarded $100,000 in scholarships during the 2021 Dean’s Showcase of Stars on Feb. 17.
The event was virtual, but still offered “an excellent opportunity for students of high academic achievement to celebrate and network in a social setting,” said Kyle Foster, director of the Diversity Programs Office (DPO).
Engineering Dean Leo Kempel greeted the 56 students and 43 staff members and corporate friends who gathered on Zoom for the annual celebration.
“Our students are special,” Kempel said, “and they are working their way through STEM degrees during these challenging times - learning how to cope during a pandemic. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank our students for their accomplishments in a difficult situation – for without you we wouldn’t be here.”
Foster said he is grateful for the technology that allowed the annual event to go on remotely.
“And we’re thankful that we are able to convert our funding that we didn’t spend on events and travel to scholarship support this year. So every student who applied for a scholarship will get one,” Foster added.
The company and scholarship sponsors this year are 3M, Aptiv, Consumers Energy, GE Aviation, General Mills, GM, Marathon, TechSmith, Whirlpool and the Clifton J. Alexander Memorial, The Playmakers, and Engineering Student Council.
Many of the Showcase of Stars scholarship recipients will receive at least one $1,000 award, with some recognitions ranging from $500 to $2,500. The scholarships are going to:
Ailohi Izirein
Amari Anglean Selby
Anna Parkinson
Aja Stokes
Anthony Sabah Barash
Areli Cardenasarteaga
Brooke Osterkamp
Chelsea Parson
David Olawale
Dejanae Williams
Dennell Brooke Adkins
Devin Moses
Dillon Carrington
Emani Hunter
Emily Elizabeth Hart
Eric Devin Winston
Fallou Mbengue
Gabby Kelsch-Bledsoe
Gillian Tibbetts
Hailey Swamy
Jadyn Henry
Jamal Burton
Jenny Lam
Jonathan David Jenkins
Juan Campbell
Judah Richardson
Julia Rudlaff
Kapricia Demetria Guice
Katie Grant
Kayla Madison Wilson
Kayla Myles
Kelina Evans
Kyndal Elizabeth Bole
London Mcmurray
Mariana Merandi
Matai Swain
Mickey Atnafe
Mikayla Norton
Miles Grimes
Mohamed Abdinasir Mohamed
Nash Longmire
Noah Caldwell
Oluwaseun Ajepe
Parfait Iradukunda
Rami Wasseem Souguir
Rashon Tyrese Poole
Richard Lin
Ronald Carr
Ryan Spencer
Seth Michael Gower
Shellbi Stanfield
Sydney Johnson
Temi Agbebi
Toinu Rodgers
Val Vargas
Yassah Bah-Deh
Zainab Salah
Assisting with this year’s event were DPO staff members Elizabeth Burbatt, Ciera Trice, and Robin Smith.
Added Foster, “we celebrate you here today,” he noted, “and your ability to stay focused in a tough time.”
