Each year, the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities recognizes the accomplishments, leadership, and dedication of notable alumni. This year, Dr. Robyn Limberg, DMV, was nominated by Virginia Martz, RCPD Lead Ability Access Specialist, to receive the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award.
Every year, the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities recognizes the dedication and leadership of notable alumni who have made significant contributions to their field. The achievements of these alumni represent the importance of education and innovation. This year, Dr. Chad Klochko, M.D., was nominated by Virginia Martz, RCPD Ability Access Specialist, to receive this prestigious award.
Michigan State University’s mission is to advance knowledge and transform lives. One Spartan, through her participation and dedication, decided to uphold this university mission and take it another step further. From Tower Guard executive board member to co-president of the Council of Students with Disabilities (CSD) to a member of the Honors College and Social Science Scholars program, Jasmine J. has continued to focus on the intersectionality of racism and ableism, fighting for a higher quality of student lives and social environments here at MSU.
Tower Guard’s advisors often hear from past members about how sad they are when their service year ends. They miss being a part of the group, working toward a shared vision and purpose. Each year, the outgoing class talks to the incoming class about how they wish they’d had the time to create a way for past and present Tower Guard members to come together. The Tower Guard service year is a big commitment, however – creating alternative format text, tutoring students with disabilities, advancing disability awareness, engaging in service events, organizing fundraisers and much more. The typical year doesn’t leave much time to dream up and organize a big undertaking like connecting with alumni.
Michigan State University is an institution that strives for diversity and inclusion both at home and abroad.
With the help of the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities and an MSU Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant, one recent MSU graduate was able to contribute to these efforts by designing an improved method of teaching English to students with visual impairments. A recent MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) graduate and Columbian Fulbright scholar, Maritza Medina G. faced difficulties as a blind student when learning phonetics. She received a Tinker Field Research Grant from the MSU Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and wanted to conduct her thesis research on phonetics through assistive technology’s universal design.
Every year for one week in June, Big Tech titan Apple Inc. hosts the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) showcasing new and innovative technologies for software developers of all skill levels. The event is a chance for attendees to gain early access to the future of iOS through diverse presentations delivered by Apple employees as well as hands-on experience with Apple engineers. One such engineer is Jordyn Castor, an MSU Alumna who began her career at Apple as an intern in 2015 shortly after receiving her undergraduate degree in Computer Science.
As a division that works closely with a wide range of individuals on the MSU campus, the RCPD works to ensure full educational participation for persons with disabilities. There is value in helping students, staff, and faculty identify areas of strength and opportunity so that Team RCPD can correctly accommodate and maximize potential. Towards that goal, the RCPD is proud to announce that Shelby Gombosi will be joining our team of Ability Access Specialists this summer, specializing in Psychiatric Disabilities.
For many, being faced with a life-changing health diagnosis brings uncertainty, but it can also help to positively shift life perspectives and bring about meaningful change. Ariel Dempsey, a graduating MD student from the MSU College of Human Medicine, shared her powerful message of hope, strength, and perseverance at the TEDxMSU Talk at the Wharton Center on Wednesday, March 11th, 2020.
Cam and Liz met while living on the same floor in Bailey Hall in 2012. Their chance meeting led to a shared journey with a common goal – promoting resiliency despite disability challenges.
Greg Fowler graduated from MSU and has had a successful career in software development, system administration, and operating system research. He never let the fact that he was blind slow him down.
At the end of April, the RCPD hosted its Annual Awards and Appreciation Reception, where Dr. Christopher Dunckle was honored as the RCPD Outstanding Alumnus for 2016.
Andrey Tikhonov was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma at just 18 months old, and became fully blind soon after. Despite doctors and teachers saying he would have a limited future, Andrey had a different plan.
Rachel joined the Tower Guard Organization in 1950 and remarked, “The very best part of Tower Guard was that I met Bill McCready.” She spent the next 61 years reading to him.