Diversity Torch: Nora Curley

July 21, 2022 - Jalen Smith

As we celebrate Disability Independence Day, a national day of recognition commemorating the signing and passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we recognize the strides our Spartans take each day to make the world a more just place for everyone. Part of this important work takes place through the work of the Michigan State University (MSU) Tower Guard. The MSU Tower Guard was established in 1934, with its primary goal being to serve the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). 

The Tower Guard, made up entirely of MSU second-year students, selects its membership from high performing first-year students of the previous year. Our Diversity Torch, Nora Curley, was a member of the Tower Guard during the 2020-21 academic year. Nora is entering her fourth year at MSU and is double majoring in Criminal Justice and Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science.  Being a member of the Tower Guard during a year when most on-campus activities were virtual came with its own unique set of challenges. But despite those obstacles, Nora’s commitment to her fellow students never wavered. 

“I decided to pursue Tower Guard because it was a way for me to get involved with RCPD and work directly with my peers,” Curley said. “I was in Tower Guard when we were virtual, but we worked together to figure out how we could continue to be involved with RCPD even with the virtual restrictions. Some highlights of my experience included the bonding activities that we did amongst Tower Guard members and RCPD students, as well as learning from guest speakers in the RCPD.” 

As part of the Tower Guard, Nora works with students from various backgrounds and has built connections with fellow Spartans that she will cherish for a lifetime. Nora’s work with the Tower Guard is only the beginning; she hopes to continue her work in advocating for those who need it throughout her future career. “I haven't decided exactly what I would like to do after graduating, but I think it would either be getting a job in the criminal justice field or continuing my education and getting a Master's degree,” Curley said. “No matter what, in my career I want to focus on decreasing the barriers that exist for certain populations, whether it be race-related, SES-related, disability-related, etc. It sounds cheesy, but what I want most is for my work to have a positive impact on peoples' lives.” 

The work of the Tower Guard and RCPD is a reminder of why Disability Independence Day is so crucial to recognize the strides made to make a difference in improving accessibility for all people. “When I think of Disability Independence Day, I think of a time when the accomplishments of people living with disabilities can be celebrated and highlighted,” Curley added. “It reminds me of how far our country has come towards protecting the rights of people living with disability, but it also reminds me that we still have so much more we need to do, including on MSU's campus. Everyone at MSU can help make our campus more inclusive to this community by taking the time to talk to their peers and friends who live with disabilities, because sometimes issues don't seem obvious until they are pointed out, and people in this community are the best people to say what changes they want to see. From there, everyone at MSU needs to work together to help implement change.” 

To learn more about the Tower Guard and how to get involved visit: www.msutowerguard.org  

 

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