The 10 members on this year’s homecoming court will serve as ambassadors to the MSU community throughout the 2008-09 school year. From left (standing) are: Anna Taylor, Yvette Efevbera, Ashley Bernath, Jennifer Flood, Dhara Shah and Stephanie Williams. From left (sitting) are: Stephanie Dawes, Brittanie Johnson, Parth Tikiwala and Jessica Ogden. Photo by Harley Seeley.

Click on an image to view a larger or high-resolution version.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University has named 10 outstanding seniors to its 2008 Homecoming Court.

Members, who were nominated by an individual or an organization, were chosen through a highly selective process. Nominees were evaluated based on leadership, community involvement, academic excellence and Spartan pride. A group of MSU faculty, staff, alumni and students conducted personal interviews in April with students to select the final 10 court members.

In addition to representing the MSU community during homecoming week from Sept. 26 to Oct. 4, members will continue their commitment to help the community and carry on the tradition of Spartan pride.

“Court members have already been acting as student ambassadors,” said Jodi Roberto Hancock, homecoming court co-coordinator. “They are a unique group with a collective goal to help support the community and continue to be positive role models. Their roles will not stop once homecoming festivities have come to a close. Their commitment to their fellow students and community is never ending.”

During homecoming, court members will attend many events including the parade on Oct. 3, the annual MSU Alumni Association Green and White Pregame brunch and the football game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Oct. 4.

“Homecoming Court is a great honor and a way to highlight the amazing opportunities available at Michigan State,” said court member Anna Taylor, a professional writing major from Charlevoix. “We get to show the community how we've taken our degrees out into the world and made a difference.”

The court includes:

• Ashley Bernath, of Elsie, daughter of Garry and Side Bernath. Majoring in advertising and public relations in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
• Stephanie Dawes, of Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of Mark and Nancy Dawes. Majoring in biology and specializing in African studies and connected learning, Lyman Briggs/Bailey Scholars Program/Honors College.
• Yvette Efevbera, of Big Rapids, daughter of Femi and Kemi Fadayomi. Majoring in international relations and specializing in African studies and international development, James Madison College/Honors College.
• Jennifer Flood, of Romeo, daughter of John and Kim Flood. Majoring in economics and interdisciplinary studies, Honors College.
• Brittanie Johnson, of Jenison, daughter of Bob and Sandy Johnson. Majoring in international relations and supply chain management, James Madison College and Eli Broad College of Business.
• Jessica Ogden, of Grosse Pointe Farms, daughter of Tom and Margie Ogden. Majoring in zoology, Lyman Briggs College/Honors College.
• Dhara Shah, of Mumbai, India, daughter of Vikas and Ketna Shah. Majoring in human biology and specializing in science, technology, environment and public policy in the College of Natural Science.
• Anna Taylor, of Charlevoix, daughter of David and Laura Taylor. Majoring in professional writing in the College of Arts and Letters.
• Parth Tikiwala, son of  Ketaki and Ashish Tikiwala. Majoring in economics in the College of Social Science.
• Stephanie Williams, of Shelby Township, daughter of Steven and Soon-Nam Williams. Majoring in journalism in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

For more details and a high resolution photo of the court and individual court members, contact Rachael Zylstra at rachael.zylstra@ur.msu.edu or visit www.homecoming.msu.edu/2008/homecoming_court/index.html.

###

Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.