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2024 Recipients

2024 International Awards: Mary Hennessey

Homer Higbee International Education Award

 

Published: Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024   Author: Jonathan Gibson

 

Headshot of Mary Hennessey
Mary Hennessey

Mary Hennessey is a 2024 recipient of the Homer Higbee International Education Award, which is presented to MSU students and volunteers who have made significant contributions to the advancement of international communication, understanding and cooperation through service.

Hennessey served as the director of the Volunteer English Tutoring Program, or VETP, at Michigan State University, where she expanded the program and recruited community members to become conversation partners and lead conversation classes. She also ran a summer coffee hour and supervised special events, such as holiday parties and potluck dinners.

During her time as a librarian at the East Lansing Public Library, she led teens in creating an international story time that promoted reading as a way to expand a child's world, which won the Bridges to Understanding Award from the United States Board of Books for Young People. Hennessey also led the LATTICE International Book Club for teachers, and was the advisor to the Cultural Awareness Club at East Lansing High School.

Hennessey received her A.M.l.S. from the University of Michigan. She and her husband live in Okemos. They enjoy visiting their son, his wife, and their two grandchildren who live in Sweden.

 

“Global engagement is important because the more people learn about other people and their lives and cultures, the more understanding, accepting, and less fearful they can be, creating a framework for peace in our world.” - Mary Hennessey

 

Hennessey was nominated by Lisa Homeniuk, a former assistant in the Office of Admissions. "In addition to the wonderful organizational and motivational skills Mary brought to the table, her warm and generous heart has attracted others to join in the mission of CVIP, serving global Spartans," said Homeniuk.

 

2024 Award Recipients

 

Headshot of Edward Walker

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

Headshot of Yadu Pokhrel

Yadu Pokhrel

Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering


College of Engineering

 

John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader in Advancing International Studies and Programs

Headshot of Jing Wang

Jing Wang

Ph.D., Physics (1999)


Cofounder and Chairman, FinTell Inc.

 

Joon S. Moon Distinguished International Alumni Award

Headshot of Lei Chen

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

Headshot of Peter Lemmer

Peter Lemmer

Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel


GreenStone Farm Credit Services

 

Glen L. Taggart Award for Community Contributions to International Understanding

Headshot of Katie Carline

Katie Carline

Ph.D., History (2023)


College of Social Science

 

Gill-Chin Lim Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Global Studies

Headshot of George Bird

George W. Bird

Professor Emeritus, Department of Entomology

 

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Special Recognition Award for Promoting International Understanding

Headshot of Callisto Rakhmatov

Callista B. Rakhmatov

Global Network Specialist


College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Charles A. Gliozzo International Award for Public Diplomacy

Headshot of Rochisshil Varma

Rochisshil Varma

President, International Students Association

 

Undergraduate student, College of Engineering and Honors College

 

Homer Higbee International Education Award

Headshot of Ishwari Kapale

Ishwari Kapale

Vice President, International Students Association

 

Undergraduate student, College of Engineering

 

Homer Higbee International Education Award

Headshot of Mary Hennessey

Mary Hennessey

Past Director, Volunteer English Tutoring Program

 

International Studies and Programs

 

Homer Higbee International Education Award

Headshot of Gail Vander Stoep

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

Headshot of Jonathan Choti

Jonathan Choti

Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures


College of Arts & Letters

 

MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad

Headshot of Lisa Tiemann

Lisa Tiemann

Associate Professor, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences


College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Carl K. Eicher International Development Award