Alumni Awards

Each year, the College of Social Science recognizes outstanding alumni and faculty and who have made a real difference to students, MSU and the world during our college awards ceremony.

AWARDS PROGRAM

 

 


The Distinguished Alumni Award

Presented annually, this award recognizes a graduate of the MSU College of Social Science whose combination of credentials, experience, and achievements distinguish him or her in his or her chosen field. Nominations are submitted by alumni and college leadership.

2023 - Margaret Dimond, PhD

  • Past Winners

    2022 -  David Kelly, PhD
    Economics alumnus

    2022 -  Larry Thompson
    Sociology alumnus

    2021 -  Harold Henderson
    BA, Social Science, 1972

    2019 -  Miles Gordon
    Retired investment broker/dealer, Aetna Inc.
    BA, Social Science, 1968

    2018 -  Carolyn Jackson
    Chief Human Resources Officer, Coca-Cola North America
    MA, Labor and Industrial Relations 
    BA, Social Science

    2017 -  William Raduchel
    Independent Director, Angel Investor, and Strategic Advisor
    BA, Economics, 1966

    2016 - Margaret Dimond
    President, Crittenden Hospital Medical Center
    Ph.D., Social Work, 2010

    2015 - David Radelet
    Partner,  Franczek Radelet Law Firm
    BA, Economics, 1978

    2014 - Stewart Zimmerman
    Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
    MFA Mortgage Investments Inc.
    BA, Economics, 1965

    2013 - Sameer Hinduja
    Associate Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University
    Co-Director, Cyberbullying Research Center
    MS, Criminal Justice, 2000
    Ph.D., Criminal Justice, 2004 

    2012 - Joanne B. Eicher
    Regents' Professor Emerita, Department of Design, Housing, and Apparel, University of Minnesota
    BA, Language and Literature, with a minor in Textiles, Clothing, and Related Arts, 1952
    MA, Anthropology and Sociology, 1956
    Ph.D., Anthropology and Sociology, 1959

    2011 - Sally Garza Fernandez
    Founder and CEO of The Fernandez Group
    BA, Political Science, 1980
    View Video of Sally Garza Fernandez' award presentation and speech

    2010 - Brigadier General James Anderson
    Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Michigan National Guard
    Ph.D., Family and Child Ecology, 2000

    2009 - Gordon Kettler
    Executive Director of Global Security, General Motors
    B, Social Science, 1963
    M, Criminal Justice, 1964

    2008 - Terry Nafisi
    Clerk, United States District Court, Central District of California
    B, Social Science, 1972
    MA, Political Science, 1975

    2007 - Mark Murray
    President, Meijer, Inc.
    BA, Economics, 1976
    MA, Labor and Industrial Relations, 1979

    2006 - Dr. Kwasi Adarkwa
    Vice-Chancellor, KNUST University, Kumasi, Ghana
    Ph.D., Urban & Regional Planning, 1982

    2005 - Ralph Polumbo
    Head of Human Capital for Deephaven Capital Mgt
    MLIR, Labor and Industrial Relations, 1976

    2004 - Dr. Joseph White
    Psychologist
    Ph.D., Psychology, 1961

    2003 -Ann Cooper
    BA, Social Science, 1958

    2002 - Dorothy A. Nelson
    BA, Tourism, 1974
    BA, Anthropology, 1976
    MA, Anthropology, 1979
    Ph.D., Anthropology, 1985

    2001 - Donna Hrinak
    BA, Multidisciplinary Program, 1972

    2000 - Marvin Schiller
    MA, Clinical Psychology, 1958
    Ph.D., Industrial Psychology, 1959

    1999 - Luther Christman
    Ph.D., Sociology, 1965

    1998 - Liz Schweitzer
    BA, Multidisciplinary Program, 1972

    1997 - Chris Wells
    MLIR, Labor and Industrial Relations, 1982

    1996 - David Lyon
    BS, City and Regional Planning, 1963

    1995 - Don Weatherspoon
    BS, Police Administration, 1967

    1993 - Martha Bibbs
    BA, Sociology, 1971

    1992 - Schun Hagiwara
    MUP, Urban Planning, 1977
    Ph.D., Urban and Regional Planning, 1982

    1991 - Kate Pew Wolters
    MSW, Social Work, 1982

    1990 - Ernest Green
    BA, Social Science, 1962
    MA, Sociology, 1964

    1989  - No award given

    1988 - Harvey Cary Dzodin
    BA, Political Science, 1969

    1987 - Charles Kiesler
    BA, Psychology, 1958

    1986 - William Barton
    BA, Criminal Justice, 1952

    1985 - William Sederburg
    MA, Political Science, 1972
    Ph.D., Political Science, 1974

    1984 - Debbie Stabenow
    BA, Multidisciplinary Program, 1972
    MSW, Social Work, 1976

 


Alumni Service Award

Presented to Michigan State University College of Social Science graduate who has demonstrated service to the college and/or meritorious public service on a local, state, national, or international level.

2023 - Neal Schmitt, PhD & Kara Schmitt, PhD

  • Past Winners

    2022 -  Colleen Haley
    Psychology & Human Resources and Labor Relations alumna

    2022 -  Vada Waters Lindsey
    College of Social Science alumna

    2022 -  Jon Lynch
    Urban & Regional Planning alumnus

    2021 -  Jennifer Shimp
    BS, Social Science, 1984

    2021 -  Rosa Weaver
    BA, Criminal Justice, 2002

    2021 -  Neal Hegarty
    MPA, Social Science, 1997

    2019 -  Don Spence
    President and CEO, Ebb Therapeutics, Inc.
    BA, Economics, 1975

    2019 -  Ann Tomlanovich
    Executive Board of Advisors, MSU Women’s Leadership Institute
    BS, Anthropology

 


Young Alumni Award

Given to College of Social Science graduates of the last ten years who have distinguished themselves through a high level of professional accomplishment early in their career. These individuals demonstrate a commitment to the College of Social Science through outstanding volunteer service on behalf of the university, and/or participation and leadership in meritorious public service on a local, state, national, or international level.

2023 - Chayse Hurley

2023 - Elias Kokaly

  • Past Winners

    2022 -  Jessica Kingston
    Psychology & Criminal Justice alumna

    2022 -  S. Nicholas Nefouse
    Economics alumnus

    2021 -  Alejandra Loaiza-Delgado
    BA, Economics, 2016

    2021 -  Jay Thaker
    BA, Economics, 2011
    BS, Interdisciplinary Studies, 2011

    2019 -  Brooke Yost
    MHRLR, Human Resources and Labor Relations

    2019 -  Michael Watson
    BS, Economics, 2010

 


Humanitarian Award

Given to a College of Social Science graduate with demonstrated support, aid and action designed to alleviate suffering and maintain and protect human dignity on a global, regional, or local scale.

2023 - Mike & Denise Busley

  • Past Winners

    2022 -  Felicia Turrentine Wasson
    College of Social Science alumna

    2021 -  Mary Tavarozzi
    BA, Social Science, 1979 

    2019 -  Karen Schrock
    BA, Psychology
    MS, Criminal Justice

 


Philanthropy Award

Presented to an individual, family, association, corporation, or foundation with a proven record of providing major, ongoing financial support and leadership to the College of Social Science at Michigan State University.

2023 - Karl & Barbara Becker

2023 - Gerald & Jean Rakoczy

  • Past Winners

    2022 -  Dr. Michael & Janet Leonard
    MSU alumni

    2021 -  Laurie Linscott
    MA, Social Science, 1998

    2021 -  Irv Lesher
    MBA, Marketing, 1975

    2019 -  Christine Mason Soneral
    BA, PreLaw/Political Science

 


School of Criminal Justice Wall of Fame

The School of Criminal Justice Wall of Fame honors a select group of alumni who have distinguished themselves by attaining the highest level of professional accomplishment while demonstrating strong personal integrity and character. The standards are extremely high and attract an impressive group of individuals who are truly the “best of the best”.

2019 - John Smykla
Retired Director & Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University
Ph.D., Criminal Justice, 1977

2019 - Thomas Brooks
Executive Director/Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Harris County Juvenile Probation Department
BA, Criminal Justice and Psychology, 1982

2019 - Marlon Lynch
Senior Vice President of Campus Services and Safety, New York University
BS, Criminal Justice, 1995

PAST WINNERS

 


The Outstanding Teaching Award

Presented annually, this award recognizes a current faculty member in the MSU College of Social Science who takes pride in and is committed to quality teaching and who demonstrates substantial continuing involvement in undergraduate education. Nominations are submitted by chairs and directors with input from current students.

2023 - Heather McCauley 
Associate Professor of Social Work

  • Past Award Winners

    2022  - Emily Durbin
    Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies & Professor, Psychology

    2020  - Erica Frantz
    Associate Professor, Political Science

    2019  - Kaston Anderson-Carpenter
    Assistant Professor, Psychology

    2018  - Helen Zoe Veit
    Associate Professor, History

    2017 -  Todd Elder
    Associate Professor, Economics

    2016 - Ryan Black
    Associate Professor, Department of Political Science

    2015 - Carl Taylor
    Professor, Department of Sociology

    2014 - Jennifer Cobbina
    Assistant Professor, School of Criminal Justice

    2013 - Timothy J. Pleskac
    Associate Professor, Department of Psychology

    2012 - Christopher E. Smith
    Professor, School of Criminal Justice

    2011 - Tobias Ten Eyck
    Associate Professor, Department of Sociology  
    Video of award presentation and speech

    2010 - John Mooradian
    Assistant Professor, School of Social Work

    2009 - Rebecca Campbell
    Professor, Department of Psychology

    2008 - Arthur Melzer
    Professor, Department of Political Science

    2007 - Charles L. Ballard
    Professor, Department of Economics

    2006 - David T. Bailey
    Associate Professor, Department of History

    2005 - Deborah Kashy
    Associate Professor, Department of Psychology

    2004 - Ellen E. Whipple
    Associate Professor, School of Social Work

    2003 - Carl E. Liedholm
    Professor, Department of Economics

    2002 - Michael L. Moore
    Professor, School of Human Resources and Labor Relations

 


Rising Star Research Award

Recognizes junior faculty contributions to the reputation of Michigan State University as a world leader in social science research through externally recognized publications, grants or awards, and/or researchsupportive centers or infrastructure.

2019 - Bill Chopik
Assistant Professor, Psychology

 


Cross-Disciplinary Research Award

Recognizes and encourages significant research achievements on issues of societal relevance, not easily identified with a single discipline or that require collaboration across multiple disciplines.

2019 - Peilei Fan
Assistant Professor, Urban & Regional Planning

2019 - Steven Kozlowski
Professor, Organizational Psychology

 


Leadership Council Research Award

Recognizes Michigan State University faculty who have made important and significant contributions to his or her discipline, department, college, and university in regards to research.

2019 - Ed McGarrell
Professor, School of Criminal Justice

 


Teaching Excellence Award

The Teaching Excellence Award honors ISS faculty who demonstrate exceptional performance in the classroom, innovate effectively, inspire learning, and have a lasting impact on the quality of the student experience at MSU.

2019 - John Dunn
Assistant Professor, Center for Integrative Studies (ISS)

2019 - Ralph Pyle
Assistant Professor, Center for Integrative Studies (ISS)