Correction: The story was changed to accurately reflect Freed’s title.
For Kaustav Mukherjee, the most exciting thing about MSU is the rush of learning with people who live 9,000 miles away from each other.
MSU celebrates members advancing diversity
Social work graduate student Don Lyons received the Higbee award Wednesday afternoon for international activities. Last year, Lyons worked with indigenous cultures in Australia and started the Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways program dedicated to maintaining cultural traditions. Lyons, who is a member of the tribes Six Nation Mohawk and Leech Lake Ojibwe, brought the program back home to coordinate with American Indian tribes in Michigan.
“You probably won’t get this much diversity if you go to a small university,” said Mukherjee, an English doctoral student. “I’m not blaming them, because they don’t have the means.”
Mukherjee was one of five recipients of the Homer Higbee International Education Awards, which were handed out at the MSU’s International Studies and Programs’ International Awards Ceremony on Wednesday.
Ghazala Khan, an international student adviser, said the Higbee award, one of eight awards presented, is usually given to students who enhance diversity and bring awareness about international issues to campus.
“One of the defining characteristics of MSU is its international programs and connections with international students and faculty,” said MSU Provost Kim Wilcox, who spoke at the ceremony. “I think it’s appropriate we stop once a year and recognize those who have made a special effort and achieved special significance in their role.”
The 15 award recipients included students, faculty and community members.
“There is a process each year where we send out word across the campus soliciting nominations,” said Jeff Riedinger, dean of International Studies and Programs. “Then there is a formal set of review committees that tend to, depending on what the award is, have some representation of faculty and community members.”
Khan nominated Mukherjee for the Higbee award because of his work as president of the International Students Association.
“The association has done outstanding activities throughout the year,” she said.
The main award of the event was the Ralph H. Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies and Programs at MSU, Riedinger said.
Mohammed Faisal, a pathobiology and fisheries and wildlife professor, and Russell Freed, a crop and soil sciences professor, received the honor, which Riedinger described as a lifetime achievement award.
Faisal’s work includes developing cell and molecular biology curriculum for the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal. Freed, associate chairman of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, has worked in Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
“They’re the kind of people who reflect the best aspects of MSU,” Wilcox said. “They do good work and they do it on behalf of lots of people.”
READ MORE
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
