Investments in our Students
Richard and Susan Liblong Endowed Scholarship in Communication Arts and Sciences: Rick (BA ’70 Television and Radio) and Sue Liblong established this scholarship for upper classmen so students who are academically qualified, but lack the funds, can know the lifelong special meaning of an education from MSU.
Robert C. & Catherine H. McClure Scholarship Fund: Roberta Sue McClure Sawyer (B ’52 Psychology and Speech) established a scholarship in the names of her parents to give opportunity to talented and motivated students to pursue their education. Roberta intended to encourage academically talented students to come to MSU, assured they will receive a superior education, as their energy helps all students reach fullest potential.
The Matt McConnell Scholarship in Sports Media: Matt McConnell (BA ’85 Telecommunication) and his wife, Jennifer, believe it important to give back to those who may not always be afforded a clear path towards success and achievement. Matt, who was a National Hockey League television broadcaster, was fortunate to have parents who could afford his college tuition. Jennifer wasn’t quite as fortunate, burdened with the pressures of student debt. Their scholarship aims to help sports journalism students to achieve their academic goals with as few distractions as possible.
Sheldon and Neva Ackerman Moyer Endowed Scholarship: Sheldon Moyer (B ’43 Economics) played a key role in taking The State News from a three-day-a-week to a five-day-a-week publishing schedule with wire service coverage. When he left to serve in World War II, Neva Ackerman (B ’44 Journalism) took over as managing editor of the campus paper and, after graduating, she worked for the Associated Press. She was inducted into The State News Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2008. Sheldon had an extensive editorial and advertising career, becoming president of Leo Burnett Co. of Michigan and its predecessor firm, D.P. Brother & Co. This scholarship recognizes the importance of their education at MSU.
George A. and Dorothy H. Murray Scholarship in Communication Arts and Sciences: This scholarship honors the parents of advertising graduate Craig Murray (BA ’76 Advertising) who both attended Detroit Public Schools during the Depression. In appreciation of their commitment and sacrifice in financing their son’s MSU career, this endowment provides deserving Detroit students with a means to realize a college education in the field of communication.
Donald and Annette Neal Scholarship: Alumna Diane Neal (BS ’79 Retailing) hopes the scholarships generated by this endowment will allow others with big aspirations, yet limited resources, to secure an MSU education.
Diane Neal Student Excellence: Alumna Diane Neal (BS ’79 Retailing) established this award to provide financial support to students in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. Her goal is to provide financial assistance necessary to prepare tomorrow’s global communicators with rich learning opportunities through internships and study abroad programs.
Nehls-Frumkin Family Internship Scholarship: Mary Nehls-Frumkin (BA ’75 Advertising, MA ’78 Communication) and her husband, Jeff Frumkin (BA ’72 Social Science, MA ’74 Education, PHD ’83 Education) created their scholarship to support internships for students graduating from Detroit high schools.
Marshall D. and Lee. K. Newell Endowed Scholarship in Communication Arts and Sciences: It is Marshall (B ’66 Television and Radio) and Lee Newell’s wish that this scholarship benefit students who might not be able to attend MSU without financial assistance. The Newell’s also hope that recipients of this award be “honor-bound” and give back to MSU and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences later in life, at whatever financial level they feel appropriate, so other students may follow in their footsteps.
Joe Patrick Communication Arts and Sciences Internship Award: Joe Patrick (BA ’91 Telecommunications) is a graduate of MSU who enjoyed his time at the university and, in addition to classroom work, recognizes the value of real work experience through internships. This internship award supports students who need aid while working in an unpaid or nominally paid internship and is intended for those with internships beyond the East Lansing area.
Robert and Dorothy Pearson Endowed Internship Scholarship: Bob (B ’66 Television and Radio) and Dotti Pearson both have a strong attachment to MSU and believe in giving back. Scholarship recipients must be upperclassmen or graduate students and must participate in a qualified internship, either for credit or to help them further their degree experiences.
Jeffrey C. Rachor College of Communication Arts & Sciences Sales Internship Endowed Scholarship: Jeffrey C. Rachor (BA ’83 Communication) is a 30-year veteran of the automotive business, recognized as an industry leader. His career began at MSU under sponsorship by General Motors through its college cooperative program. This endowment was created to support CAS students who are also minoring in Sales Leadership, ideally while pursuing a career in the automotive industry.
David Ralph Scholarship in Communication Arts and Sciences: Alumnus Kraig Kitchin established this endowment in honor of David Ralph. For 20 years, Professor Ralph was a teacher and administrator in the undergraduate program in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. He also authored a widely used public speaking textbook.
Roy C. and H. Kristene Rautio Endowment Scholarship for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences: Roy (B ’67 Advertising) and Kristene Rautio strongly believe in the value of a good education from a major university. It is with this in mind that they established an endowed scholarship fund to help support students from Michigan who are enrolled in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. They feel there is no finer legacy than helping to enhance the opportunities for higher education for those who are qualified and will benefit from this gift.
Roy C. and H. Kristene Rautio Spartan Scholarship Challenge: Roy (B ’67 Advertising) and Kriss Rautio value the education they received at MSU, where they met in 1966. Roy spent his career in advertising and publishing. Kriss worked in banking in senior management. They created this endowment to support a quality education for deserving students from Michigan.
Dusty Rhodes Scholarship: Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, ComArtSci alumnus Dusty Rhodes (B ’50 Speech and Theater) achieved a successful career in radio broadcasting and later went on to work in newspaper publishing and international TV news. In appreciation of the GI Bill, this scholarship created by the Rhodes family is awarded Michigan high school graduates, with preference given to those from Flint who wish to pursue a career in radio, newspaper or TV news.
Michael and Julianne Riha Internship Scholarship: MSU alums Michael (BA ’72 Journalism) and Julianne Riha know firsthand how an internship can open the door to a purposeful career. Both have mentored interns and intend this scholarship to benefit journalism majors participating in qualified internships, either for credit or to help them further their degree experiences.
The Michael B. Salwen and Okhee Lee-Salwen Endowed Scholarship in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences: Michael B. Salwen (PHD ’85 Mass Media) and Okhee Lee-Salwen (PHD ’89 Educational Psychology) completed their doctoral degrees at MSU and were married on campus in 1989. This scholarship was established to honor Michael, who died from cancer in 2007. The scholarship is intended for students who need financial support, as Michael and Okhee were poor when they were doctoral students at MSU.
Schultz Family Scholarship: Lorna Schultz (BA ‘76 Advertising) and Gary Schultz (BA ‘75 Personnel Administration, MBA ‘79) created the Schultz Family Scholarship to help students in the College of Communications. Both Lorna and Gary found the knowledge, skills and relationships they developed at Michigan State helped them in their careers and want to provide current students those same opportunities and help reduce their financial commitment. It is intended to help motivated, in-state Communications and Public Relations majors to achieve their goals.
Smitter-Wright Internship Scholarship: Anne Smitter (BA ’83 Communication) knows the value of experiential learning as she had three different internships during her education at MSU. She was encouraged by the Dean of the College to seek employment in Colorado, far from her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where new technologies were being used. This endowment provides internship support to students from Michigan.
The Stone and Chapman Family Endowed Fund: Laurence B. Stone (BA ’64 Television and Radio, MA ’68 Curriculum) and Linda Chapman Stone (BA ’65 Speech and Theater) established this scholarship in gratitude to MSU for providing them with an excellent education, lifetime friends and the chance to meet each other.
Vija Udenans Inspiration ComArtSci Career Services Endowment: Upon graduation from MSU, Vija Udenans (BA ‘74 Television and Radio) pursued a career at NBS News and continued her career in Washington, D.C., as the producer for the ABC White House unit, traveling the world with President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush. This scholarship is for students who participate in a qualified internship, either for credit or to help them further their degree experiences, with preference for students whose internships are in metro Washington, D.C.
John G. Walsh Scholarship: By establishing the John G. Walsh Scholarship fund, Walsh’s family and his wide circle of friends are honoring the MSU alum’s leadership in the journalism and communication field. Walsh (BA ’75 Television and Radio) was a respected leader in the news industry.
Scott S. Weiss Family Endowment: Scott Weiss (BA ’81 Advertising) leveraged his experience at The State News to get a position at a prominent PR agency in Atlanta. Two years later, Scott was recruited by Turner Broadcasting Systems to be a vice president of the northeast region in its cable sales division. After 10 years Scott left his position at Turner to work for the founder of Speakeasy, and eventually bought the company. Scott encourages students to focus on their communication effectiveness, as his company helps businesses do. His endowment helps students achieve their goals in education supplemented by internships.
Bradley H. and Joan R. Wire Endowed Scholarship Fund: Bradley (B ’67 Advertising) and Joan Wire (BS ’68 Child Development & Teaching, MA ’75 Classroom Teaching) established this scholarship to provide financial assistance to qualified students from Barry, Allegan, Kent or Kalamazoo counties. The Wires share a strong belief in education and the opportunities available from attending MSU.
Investments in our Faculty and Programs
Merri Jo Bales Fund for Strategic Communication: Merri Jo Bales (BA ’77 Communication) had a successful career as a communication professional, strategist and leader. After spearheading Michigan’s Sesquicentennial celebration, she embarked on a 27-year career with Consumers Energy, transforming its strategy. Her husband, Randy Sahajdack (BA ’78 Hotel & Restaurant Management), was a successful restaurant executive and culinary instructor. Recognizing power in the combination of strategy and communication, Randy and Merri Jo support the online Strategic Communication Master of Arts program. They hope students can extract substantial benefit from this program to use their networks, knowledge and experiences to improve their companies, families, organizations or communities.
Ellis N. Brandt Chair in Public Relations: This endowment supports a professorship in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences in the field of public relations in honor and recognition of Ellis “Ned” Brandt’s (BA ’43 Journalism) career as a pioneer in the field of public relations.
Ned Brandt Faculty Excellence Fund: Ellis “Ned” Brandt (BA ’43 Journalism) grew up in the Detroit area and was drawn to journalism early on covering athletic events for the Plymouth High School newspaper. At MSU he wrote for the campus radio stations and was editor of The Michigan State News. Ned started his career with the U.S. Army, worked for a few years in France, and served four years as press attaché for the U.S. Embassy in Paris to promote the Marshall Plan. He joined the public relations staff of The Dow Chemical Co. in 1953, becoming director of public relations in 1965, director of business communications in 1970 and senior counselor of public affairs in 1978. He became company historian in 1983 before retiring in 1986. He established the Post Street Archives to preserve historical documents and he documented Dow Chemical history through an oral history program. Ned died in 2018 at the age of 95. Through his estate he left a gift to the College of Communication Arts and Sciences to continue his legacy through a series of endowed professorships in all facets of communication.
Bunting Enrichment Fund: Clark (BA ’77 Advertising & MA ’84 Communication) and Karen (BA ’78 Accounting) Bunting have used their degrees well. Clark is a co-founder of Discovery Channel's Shark Week. The Bunting Enrichment Fund reciprocates the donors’ strong ties to MSU and fond memories of their formative years together in college. The funds from their endowment are used for college purposes at the discretion of the dean.
Richard C. Bush and Patty Mcguigan Endowment: Growing up in East Lansing and graduating from MSU, Richard Bush (BS ’70 Packaging) has maintained his love of the beauty of the campus. It is his and his wife’s desire to integrate art, plants and physical structures into communal spaces for students to gather. This endowment ensures that the technological and physical environment needs are maintained and improved in areas of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences Building.
College of Communication Arts and Sciences Alumni Board Endowment: The College of Communication Arts and Sciences Alumni Board believes that building a loyal network of CAS alumni is a pivotal goal. To increase alumni commitment to the college, this endowment will fund the recognition of outstanding faculty within the college, provide programmatic support for alumni engagement and scholarship, and give fellowship support for students within the college.
CAS Dean’s Strategic Initiatives Fund: This fund is built with gifts from numerous donors and alumni to support programs, research, fellowships, scholarships, technology and other current or future initiatives in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Coyote Logistics Student Enrichment Fund in the Sales Specialization Program: Jeff and Marianne Silver (Honorary Alumni of 2012) created this fund to support the Sales Specialization Program in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Edward Deeb Technology Endowment: This endowment honors Ed Deeb’s (B ’60 Advertising) work as co-founder and first president of the Communication Arts and Sciences Alumni Association. It is used at the discretion of the Dean of the College to refurbish and update technology in the lobby and the Deeb Conference Room, Room 191, of the Communication Arts and Sciences Building.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Student Enrichment Fund in the Sales Communication Program: This fund provides support for the Sales Communication Program in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. It provides resources for student enrichment opportunities, qualified research and programmatic needs.
Dr. Kathy Foltner Endowed Chair: Dr. Kathy Foltner (MA ‘76 Audiology and Speech Sciences) served both the hearing impaired and the audiology community for over 40 years. She authored nearly 100 professional articles, and was a frequent presenter at local, state and national meetings. Dr. Foltner was among the first to start, manage, grow and sell one of the top audiology private practices in the country. Later she worked as an executive for several large hearing care companies. She was awarded a scholarship while attending MSU, which allowed her to begin her career debt free. She created this endowment to support MSU’s ability to attract and educate the best students to focus on academics and to enter their chosen fields with minimal debt.
Dorsey and Karl Gude Fund for Creativity and Collaboration: Dorsey and Karl came to Michigan State University from New York City in 2006. Karl previously spent 25 years at United Press International, Associated Press and as the Director of Information Graphics at Newsweek Magazine MSU recruited Karl to bring his experience at visual storytelling to journalism students. Dorsey became Director of Development and Communications for the East Lansing Educational Foundation, a position she held for seven years before joining the MSU team as a Regional Planned Giving Advisor in 2014. Dorsey and Karl understand that unrestricted funds are of most need and wish to support real world experiences for students that encourage collaborative and creative ways of telling stories or solving problems.
Media Arts Collaboration Fund: Alumni Sara (B ’62 English) and David (PHD ’63 Chemistry – Teaching) Taft attended the Traverse City Film Festival, witnessing the benefits of experiential learning and student opportunities through the Theater-2-Film collaborative project with the Media Sandbox, the Department of Theater in the College of Arts and Letters, and the College of Music. They would like the fund they established to stimulate similar projects, led by the Media Sandbox, involving collaboration with other colleges and units on campus.
Craig Murray Creative Endowment: Craig Murray (BA ’76 Advertising) established this fund at his alma mater to provoke, inspire and encourage creativity. The endowment supports refurbishing and updating the “creative incubator” and other creative spaces in the college.
Charles J. Strosacker Graduate Research Fund for Health and Risk Communication: This fund supports graduate research in health and risk communication. Graduate students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on research, apply theoretical constructs to real-world health practice and share the results and impacts from their projects with community partners.
Edward Zabrusky Endowed Lecture: This lecture was created by Ed Zabrusky’s sisters, Dorothy and Betty, in memory of his 40 years as the MSU News Bureau Chief. The fund produces an annual lecture in the area of media or public relations in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.