About the Awards
For more than 30 years, International Studies and Programs has presented a series of distinguished awards to recognize individuals who have contributed positive, lasting change across the world through their efforts in international research, teaching and outreach.
The 2025 International Awards Ceremony will be held on April 9, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. in the MSUFCU Club at Spartan Stadium. The event is open to all globally minded members of the extended Spartan community.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2024 awards program. Read award descriptions, eligibility requirements and access the nomination forms via the individual award pages under About the Awards.
Nominations are due December 31, 2024
2024 Award Recipients
Edward D. Walker
University Distinguished Professor, Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology
College of Natural Science
Ralph H. Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies and Programs at MSU
Yadu Pokhrel
Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering
John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader in Advancing International Studies and Programs
Jing Wang
Ph.D., Physics (1999)
Cofounder and Chairman, FinTell Inc.
Joon S. Moon Distinguished International Alumni Award
Lei Chen
Ph.D., Statistics (1997)
Managing Director, Head of Fraud Risk for Lending and Fraud Data Science for the Consumer and Community Banking, JPMorgan Chase
Joon S. Moon Distinguished International Alumni Award
Peter Lemmer
Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel
GreenStone Farm Credit Services
Glen L. Taggart Award for Community Contributions to International Understanding
Katie Carline
Ph.D., History (2023)
College of Social Science
Gill-Chin Lim Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Global Studies
George W. Bird
Professor Emeritus, Department of Entomology
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Special Recognition Award for Promoting International Understanding
Callista B. Rakhmatov
Global Network Specialist
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Charles A. Gliozzo International Award for Public Diplomacy
Rochisshil Varma
President, International Students Association
Undergraduate student, College of Engineering and Honors College
Homer Higbee International Education Award
Ishwari Kapale
Vice President, International Students Association
Undergraduate student, College of Engineering
Homer Higbee International Education Award
Mary Hennessey
Past Director, Volunteer English Tutoring Program
International Studies and Programs
Homer Higbee International Education Award
Gail A. Vander Stoep
Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Community Sustainability
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad
Jonathan Choti
Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures
College of Arts & Letters
MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad
Lisa Tiemann
Associate Professor, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Carl K. Eicher International Development Award