Michigan State University Alumni Office to Honor Top-Achieving Spartans

EAST LANSING, Mich., Oct. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Michigan State University Alumni Office announced it will honor 13 of its most impactful alumni at the annual Grand Awards Gala Oct. 25 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.

"The 2019 Alumni Grand Award recipients embody how Spartans Will. continue to be a force for good in the world," said Nick McLaren, executive director, MSU Alumni Office. "It is an honor to recognize these individuals who, in their unique vocations, all share and apply inherent drive with an unparalleled education to help others, break barriers and create a better future."

Distinguished Alumni Award recipients include alumni that have differentiated themselves by achieving the highest level of professional accomplishment.

• Julie Aigner-Clark received her B.A. in literature and secondary education from MSU's College of Arts & Letters, is chief executive officer and co-founder of WeeSchool, and founder of Baby Einstein, which was acquired by Disney for $25M. She created the Emmy Award-winning Safe Side child safety videos, and applied her own experience as a cancer survivor to publish a picture book for cancer-coping families. In 2007, she was recognized by President George W. Bush during his State of the Union Address.
• Dr. Mark Kay received his B.S. in physical sciences from MSU's Lyman Briggs College, and is professor of pediatrics and genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine. An internationally known pediatric gene therapy researcher, Kay co-founded LogicBio Therapeutics. He was a founding board member of The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy. His laboratory has made seminal contributions in non-coding RNA biology and RNA-based therapeutics, and he has published more than 250 papers in leading science journals.
• Michael Lamach received his B.S. in engineering from MSU's College of Engineering and is chairman and CEO of Ingersoll Rand. He served as the company's Security and Technologies sector president before leading the Trane Commercial business, and then serving as president and chief operating officer. Under Lamach's leadership, Ingersoll Rand has consistently outperformed both the S&P 500 and the S&P Industrial Index, and has reduced global greenhouse gas emissions from operations by 45% and from products by nearly 50%.
• Dr. Ellen Williams received her B.S. in chemistry from MSU's College of Natural Science and Honorary Ph.D. in science from MSU. She is a distinguished professor of physics at the University of Maryland, and former chief scientist of BP and director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E). She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, chaired a special National Research Council committee and has served on the U.S. Department of State's International Security Advisory Board.

Alumni Service Award recipients include alumni that who have demonstrated service to MSU and/or commendable public service on a local, state, national or international level.

• Lural Baltimore received her B.A. in sociology from MSU's College of Arts & Letters, and her M.A. in guidance counseling from MSU's College of Education. She is a former area administrator and the first African American female regional district manager for the Michigan Disability Determination Services. She is a founding member of MSU Black Alumni Association which supports endowments exceeding $2M and has supported hundreds of students through scholarships since inception. Baltimore received the Social Security Administration's Commissioners Citation and the Associate Commissioner Citation for Outstanding Leadership.
• Dr. Charles Webb received his Ph.D. in administration in higher education from MSU's College of Education, and is president emeritus of Spring Arbor University, and MSU vice president emeritus for university development. Webb served 12 years as MSU Alumni Association executive director, was president of the MSU Foundation for 10 years and was vice president for University Development for 12 years. Under his leadership, The Campaign for MSU committed $1.439 billion, surpassing its $1.2 billion goal 15 months ahead of schedule.

Young Alumni Award recipients include alumni under age 40 who have distinguished themselves through a high level of professional accomplishment.

• Dhaval Bhanusali, M.D. FAAD received his B.S. in human physiology from MSU's College of Natural Science and Honors College, and M.D. from MSU's College of Human Medicine. He is owner and dermatologist for Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York. He completed his residency at Mount Sinai, where he serves on the faculty. Bhanusali launched Fast Beauty Co., Amazon's first in-house skincare line. His pharma-tech company, Skin Medicinals, was featured in Business Insider for lowering drug prices and improving medication access.
• Michael Pruente, Jr. received his B.A. in supply chain management from MSU's Broad College of Business, and is a leader in supply chain optimization, and total talent management and workforce transformations. He worked for Shell and ConocoPhillips before joining WG Consulting. He has led numerous transformation projects for major multinational companies, including Molina Healthcare, USACS, Shell Oil, BHP Billiton and ConocoPhillips. Pruente has established two MSU scholarships, and named a team room in the new MSU Minskoff Pavilion.
• Dr. Carlo Riolo received his B.S. in veterinary sciences and his D.V.M. from MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Katherine Niksich received her D.V.M. from MSU's College Veterinary Medicine. As co-owners and practicing veterinarians for PAW Health Network, Riolo and Niksich are developing infrastructure to ensure a balanced and healthy work environment for their own employees, and that supports the health and wellness of MSU veterinary medical students and industry professionals. Riolo has provided after-hours and emergency veterinary care since 2006. A Michigan native, Niksich has been practicing veterinary medicine in the Wausau, Wisconsin-area since 2007. Through their five-year financial pledge and PAW Health Mentorship Program, Riolo and Niksich are investing in the MSU student experience and in their postgraduate lives.

Honorary Alumni Award recipients include those non alumni candidates that have made an outstanding impact on behalf of MSU.

• Ken Nobis is co-owner of Nobis Dairy Farms, and leader in the Michigan and national dairy industries. He has supported MSU's Department of Animal Science and MSU Extension teaching and research for over 40 years, with more than 60 MSU students having received training at Nobis Farms. He is senior policy advisor at the Michigan Milk Producers Association, having served 12 years as president before assuming his current role. Nobis is a U.S. Army veteran.

Philanthropist Award recipients include those individuals, families, associations, corporations or foundations that have generously demonstrated ongoing financial support and leadership to MSU.

• Dr. Shashikant Gupta received his MBA in Hospitality Business from MSU's Eli Broad College of Business, and his Ph.D. in economics from MSU's College of Social Science. He and Margaret Gupta are co-founders and leaders of Apex CoVantage, social activists and international philanthropists. Dr. Shashikant Gupta is chief executive officer of Apex CoVantage, and Margaret Gupta is chief operating officer of Apex CoVantage, where she oversees the company's global operations. She is also president of the Gupta Family Foundation. The Guptas created the Gupta Values Scholars Program at MSU in 2016 with an outright gift of $2.5 million. There are currently 21 MSU Gupta Scholars. Developed after their own business model and core values: integrity, human dignity and excellence, the program currently supports 21 students.

Registration to attend the exclusive Grand Awards Gala is open through Oct. 18. The black-tie optional event includes a reception with hosted bar, decadent meal and the opportunity to meet and mingle with the recipients. For more information, visit alumni.msu.edu/grandawards.

About MSU Alumni: The MSU Alumni Office is dedicated to advancing Michigan State University by building pride and strategically fostering meaningful engagement of Spartans through connection, service and investment. More than 550,000 alumni represent MSU globally. For more information, visit alumni.msu.edu.

SOURCE Michigan State University Alumni Office