Contact: Virginia Martz, MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, (517) 353-9642; or Kristin K. Anderson (517) 353-8819, ander284@msu.edu

12/21/2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. – As Michigan State University celebrates its sesquicentennial, the MSU Tower Guard celebrates its 73^rd year on campus.

This year, 66 members were chosen from the top 5 percent of the freshman class to carry on the Tower Guard tradition.

Tower Guard is a service and volunteer organization. Members are chosen based on strong character and leadership and academic excellence.

“Tower Guard members dedicate themselves to helping students, primarily sight- impaired students, in the reading and test-taking areas. In reality, Tower Guard members are tutors for students associated with the Resource Center for People with Disabilities located in Bessey Hall,” said Ron Gibbs, specialist and adviser in the Undergraduate University Division and Tower Guard adviser.

Tower Guard, the oldest student organization on MSU’s campus, is the only organization to hold keys to MSU’s Beaumont Tower.

Tower Guard’s purpose is to assist MSU employees and students with disabilities. The students volunteer at least four hours a week to producing electronic text and reading textbooks aloud to students who are blind or visually impaired.

“The Tower Guard organization provides a wonderful opportunity for willing students to give of their talents to help others become successful college students,” Gibbs said.

The following freshmen from Michigan were recently inducted into Tower Guard:

Ada

Christopher Dulac, son of Jennie Dulac. He is a 2003 graduate of St. Louis University High School and is majoring in hospitality business.

Ann Arbor

Caitlin Weber, daughter of Dean and Sally Weber. She is a 2004 graduate of Dexter High School and is majoring in anthropology.

Armada

Kim Quandt, daughter of Mike and Barb Quandt. She is a 2004 graduate of Armada All Area High School and is a pre-veterinary science and zoology major.

Brighton

Kathrine Garrison, daughter of Ronald and Marcy Garrison. She is a 2004 graduate of Brighton High School and is majoring in psychology.

Clarkston

Kristin Ostdiek, daughter of Carlton and Karen Ostdiek. She is a 2004 graduate of Clarkston High School and is an accounting major.

East Lansing

Julianna Beall, daughter of Ken and Sandy Beall. She is a 2004 graduate of Okemos High School and is majoring in supply chain management.

Lauren Liddell, daughter of Paul and Juanita Liddell. She is a 2004 graduate of Okemos High School and is majoring in chemistry.

Courtney Rizzo, daughter of Ryan Rizzo and Janice Beauchemin. She is a 2004 graduate of Haslett High School and is majoring in music.

Kimberly Scott, daughter of Mike and Cathy Scott. She is a 2004 graduate of East Lansing High School and is a no-preference student.

Farmington Hills

Neal Bhatt, son of Hermant and Charu Bhatt. He is a 2004 graduate of North Farmington High School and is majoring in biology.

Frankenmuth

Stephanie Rummel, daughter of Bob and Sandy Rummel. She is a 2004 graduate of Frankenmuth High School and is majoring in finance.

Grand Blanc

Patrick Burgess Jr., son of Patrick and Jamie Burgess. He is a 2004 graduate of Grand Blanc High School and is majoring in physiology.

Grand Rapids

Linda Hetherington, daughter of Mark and Carol Hetherington. She is a 2004 graduate of City High School and is majoring in English.

Erica Hoodhood, daughter of George and Diane Hoodhood. She is a 2004 graduate of West Catholic High School and is majoring in marketing.

Greenville

Heather Robinson, daughter of Gordon and Misuk Robinson. She is a 2004 graduate of Greenville High School and is majoring in animal science.

Jessica Warnshuis, daughter of Mark and Cindy Warnshuis. She is a 2004 graduate of Greenville High School and is majoring in audiology and speech sciences.

Howell

Jessica D’Amico, daughter of Alfred and Cynthia D’Amico. She is a 2004 graduate of Brighton High School and is majoring in human biology.

Jackson

Bryce Thelen, son of James and Mary Thelen. He is a 2004 graduate of Northwest High School and is studying in the Lyman Briggs School of Science.

Lansing

Daniel Martin, son of Mary Martin. He is a 2004 graduate of Waverly High School and is majoring in electrical engineering.

Livonia

Laura Karasinski, daughter of Kathy and Jerry Karasinski. She is a 2004 graduate of Stevenson High School and is majoring in audiology and speech sciences.

Nicole Wheatly, daughter of Alfred and Renee Nason. She is a 2004 graduate of Winston Churchill High School and is majoring in Spanish and criminal justice.

Victoria Wheatly, daughter of Renee and Alfred Nason. She is a 2004 graduate of Winston Churchill High School and is majoring in Spanish.

Ludington

Karin Nixon, daughter of Jeff and Kathryn Nixon. She is a 2004 graduate of Ludington High School and is majoring in international relations and anthropology.

Macomb

Jessica Lienard, daughter of Craig and Colleen Lienard. She is a 2004 graduate of Lutheran High School North and is majoring in political science.

Macomb Township

Julia Biringer, daughter of John and Pat Biringer. She is a 2004 graduate of Eisenhower High School and is majoring in supply chain management.

Midland

Catherine Yates, daughter of Ron and Maria Yates. She is a 2004 graduate of Midland High School and is majoring in psychology.

Anne Frycek, daughter of George and Mary Frycek. She is a 2004 graduate of H.H. Dow High School and is majoring in nursing.

Mount Pleasant

Katherine Manifold, daughter of Joe and Jane Manifold. She is a 2004 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School and is majoring in criminal justice.

Muskegon

Ryan Critchett, son of Jerry and Pam Critchett. He is a 2004 graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School and is majoring in finance.

Katie Mowers, daughter of Marijo and Dave Mowers. She is a 2004 graduate of Mona Shores High School and is a pre-medicine student.

Northville

Tim Arnold, son of Joe and Donna Arnold. He is a 2004 graduate of Northville High School and is majoring in marketing.

Novi

Nitasha Ahluwalia, daughter of Neelu and Ranjan Ahluwalia. She is a 2004 graduate of Novi High School and is majoring in physiology.

Andrew Hoffman, son of John and Carol Hoffman. He is a 2004 graduate of Novi High School and is a no-preference student.

Lisa O'Connor, daughter of Dennis and Gail O'Connor. She is a 2004 graduate of Novi High School and is majoring in psychology.

Okemos

Greg Boyd, son of Tim and Jeanne Boyd. He is a 2004 graduate of Williamston High School and is a Lyman Briggs School of Science no-preference student.

Vibha Gupta, daughter of Jay Gupta and Arina Kundi. She is a 2004 graduate of Okemos High School and is majoring in health studies.

Port Huron

Alison Cole, daughter of Don and Cherie Cole. She is a 2004 graduate of Port Huron Northern High School and is majoring in civil engineering.

Plymouth

Kristin Guina, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Guina. She is a 2004 graduate of Ladywood High School and is majoring in Spanish.

Reed City

Ulli Hain, daughter of John and Deb Kibby. She is a 2004 Reed City High School graduate and is majoring in zoology.

Rochester Hills

Julie Adkins, daughter of Dan and Laura Adkins. She is a 2004 graduate of Stoney Creek High School and is majoring in biochemistry.

Patricia Kota, daughter of Alex and Leslie Kota. She is a 2004 graduate of Rochester High School and is majoring in advertising.

Kristiana Maynard, daughter of John and Karen Maynard. She is a 2004 graduate of Rochester Adams High School and is majoring in marketing.

Rockford

Camille Brand, daughter of Paul and Jeanne Brand. She is a 2004 graduate of Rockford High School and is majoring in psychology.

Nicholas West, son of Mary and Michael West. He is a 2004 graduate of Rockford High School and is majoring in French.

Romeo

Carolyn Obrecht, daughter of John and Debbie Obrecht. He is a 2004 graduate of Romeo High School and is majoring in accounting.

Shelby Township

Megan Cashen, daughter of Bill and Amy Cashen. She is a 2004 graduate of Eisenhower High School and is majoring in history.

Sunfield

Sarah Haskin, daughter of Brian and Becky Haskin. She is a 2004 graduate of Lakewood High School and is a no-preference student.

Sterling Heights

Angela Bianchi, daughter of Jim and Laura Bianchi. She is a 2004 graduate of Stevenson High School and is majoring in journalism.

Nwachukwu Gift Nwogu, son of Joachin and Rosemary Nwogu. He is a 2004 graduate of Sterling Heights High School and is majoring in biochemistry.

Temperance

Mallory Jagodzinski, daughter of Mark and Rhea Jagodzinski. She is a 2004 graduate of Saint Ursula Academy and is majoring in English.

Topinabee

Kali Koehler, daughter of Eddie and Lynn Slanec and Larry Koehler. She is a 2004 graduate of Petoskey High School and is majoring in interdisciplinary studies in social science.

Traverse City

Emily Jackson, daughter of Mark and Beth Jackson.She is a 2004 graduate of Traverse City Central High School and is majoring in physiology.

West Bloomfield

Mania Kupershtok, daughter of Yury and Yelena Kupershtok. She is a 2004 graduate of West Bloomfield High School and is a pre-medicine student.

Williamston

Alexander Lindsey, son of Greg and Laura Lindsey. He is a 2004 graduate of Williamston High School and is majoring in plant pathology.

Ypsilanti

Traci Taylor, daughter of Jeffrey and Bonnie Taylor. She is a 2004 graduate of Lincoln Senior High School and is majoring in chemical engineering.

The following new Tower Guard Members are from out of state or are international students:

Atlanta, Ga.

Sarah Gleason, daughter of J. Marne and Ellen Gleason. She is a 2004 graduate of Marist High School and is majoring in nursing.

Avon Lake, Ohio

Kelli Kotowski, daughter of Linda and Mike Kotowski. She is a 2004 graduate of Avon Lake High School and is studying pre-law.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Julia DeGreg, daughter of Carol and Phil DeGreg. She is a 2004 graduate of St. Ursula Academy and is majoring in psychology.

Sylvania, Ohio

Lauren Fuller, daughter of Gerry and Liz Fuller. She is a 2004 graduate of Northview High School and is majoring in human biology.

Madison, Wis.

Ramy S. Goueli, son of Said Goueli and Goman Sharara. He is a 2004 graduate of Verona Area High School and is majoring in biochemistry.

Bukom, Accra-Ghana

Francis O. Amarteifio, son of Julius and Juliana Amarteifio. He is a 2003 graduate of Achimota High School and is studying pre-medicine.

Hong Kong

Fuk Hung Choi, son of Yuet Wah Wong. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s Canossian College and is studying pre-law.

Singapore

Glen Lee Woon Hau, son of Stanley Lee Seng Hock and See Tay Bee. He is a 2001 graduate of Anderson Junior College and is majoring in supply chain management.