NEWSBRIEFS
STUDENTS SELECTED FOR DISTINGUISHED INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Twelve students will learn what it takes to become exceptional leaders, after being selected for one of SVSU’s most prestigious undergraduate programs. Roberts Fellows are supported through a two-semester program of both academic course work and extracurricular activities designed to further develop their potential as future political, economic and civic leaders. To provide the Fellows with an international perspective, the program culminates in a three-week trip across China, Taiwan and Japan. To qualify, students must have completed between 48 and 100 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.40 and pass a rigorous selection process. Students are chosen based upon their academic accomplishment, a record of university and community service and other evidence of leadership potential.
THE 2012-13 CLASS OF ROBERTS FELLOWS ARE: (from left to right, front row) Jesse Place, a science secondary education major from Boyne City, Marlin Jenkins, a creative writing major from Woodhaven, Veronica Kirk, a political science major from Merrill, Jordan Killop, a biology major from Armada, Rebecca Lamey, a criminal justice and sociology double major from Ithaca, Danielle Burelle, a social studies elementary education major from Sterling Heights, (from left to right, second row) Douglas Eck, an exercise science major from Ada, Kristen Tomczyk, an athletic training major from Lapeer, Rehana Khan-Brown, a history major from Bay City, Emily Sullivan, a political science and criminal justice double major from Cass City, Andrew Northrop, a social work major from St. Clair, and Justin Brouckaert, a creative writing and English literature major from Harbor Springs. (from left to right, back row: SVSU faculty) Jules Gehrke, assistant professor of history, Monika Dix, assistant professor of modern foreign language, Andrew Swihart, professor of psychology, Drew Hinderer, Finkbeiner Endowed Chair in Ethics, and Carol Zimmermann, interim assistant dean, College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences.
Established in 1999, the program is named in honor of Donna Roberts of Midland, who demonstrated an outstanding commitment to SVSU through her personal generosity and prior service on the Board of Control and the Board of Fellows. A respected attorney, business leader and philanthropist, Roberts retired from The Dow Chemical Company, where she was secretary and assistant general counsel. She is an honorary director of the SVSU Foundation Board. (A profile of Donna Roberts appears on Page 32.)
8 SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY