Michigan State University has awarded comprehensive scholarships to fifty exceptional incoming first-year students. Eleven of those students are joining the College of Engineering. Alumni Distinguished Scholarships are part of a 70-year tradition, University Distinguished Scholarships were initiated in 2000, and the inaugural Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarships have enabled more students than ever to receive full merit awards to MSU.
“These incoming students reflect Spartan excellence,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “By investing in their futures, Michigan State is not only opening the doors for student success – we’re serving as a greater talent activator, strengthening the future of our communities, our state, and our world.”
The scholarships cover full tuition, room and board, and a stipend for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study. They are considered some of the most competitive awards in the country.
Each awardee also receives a spot in the MSU Honors College’s Professorial Assistantship program, which provides a two-year paid research placement with a faculty member.
“We congratulate these outstanding students and welcome them to MSU,” said Associate Dean for Academic Programs S. Patrick Walton. “We look forward to offering ground-breaking research opportunities for them to collaborate with our world-class faculty and help enhance success on their engineering journey.”
“These students didn’t just meet expectations – they challenged them. They’re researchers, advocates, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers before even setting foot on campus. At MSU, we believe in giving them the space, support, and opportunities to turn big ideas into real-world impact. We can’t wait to welcome them into a community that celebrates ambition, creativity, and collaboration,” said MSU Executive Director of Admissions John Ambrose.
Alumni Distinguished Scholars
Alumni Distinguished Scholars are outstanding high school graduates who applied to MSU, wrote short essay responses, took an intensive general knowledge exam, and participated in interviews with the selection committee of faculty and staff this past winter.
The 2025 Alumni Distinguished Scholars are:
- William Daily of Olympia High School and Olympia, Wash. Daily plans to major in mechanical engineering through the College of Engineering.
- Nathan Romito of Williamsville North High School and Amherst, N.Y. Romito plans to major in mechanical engineering through the College of Engineering.
- David Stout of Rockford Senior High School and Belmont, Mich. Stout plans to major in computer science through the College of Engineering.
- Henry Tighe of Rye High School and Rye, N.Y. Tighe plans to major in computer engineering through the College of Engineering.
University Distinguished Scholars
The executive director of admissions and the interim dean of the Honors College selected University Distinguished Scholars from a pool of all MSU applicants based on high school programs, achievements, and finalist interviews.
The 2025 University Distinguished Scholar is:
- Uriel Carrillo of St. John Paul II Catholic High School and Quincy, Fla. Carillo plans to major in mechanical engineering through the College of Engineering.
Williams Scholars
The Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarship is named after the university’s inaugural president and first lady. Guskiewicz and MSU announced the creation of the scholarship program in his investiture speech last September. Williams Scholars followed the same selection process as Alumni Distinguished Scholars: applying to MSU, submitting essays, taking a general knowledge exam, and interviewing with a faculty-staff committee
The 2025 Williams Scholars are:
- Tejas Agrawal of Naperville North High School and Naperville, Ill. Agrawal plans to major in computer science through the College of Engineering.
- Anja Beck of Stuttgart High School and Stuttgart, Germany. Beck plans to major in biosystems engineering through the College of Engineering
- Alessio LoBello of Downers Grove South High School and Downers Grove, Ill. LoBello plans to major in chemical engineering through the College of Engineering.
- Juan Pablo Lozano Gonzalez of Colegio Los Portales and Villavicencio, Colombia. Gonzalez plans to major in mechanical engineering through the College of Engineering.
- Miriam Nell of Spotswood High School and Spotswood, N.J. Nell plans to major in civil engineering through the College of Engineering.
- Ana Toradze of Komarovi Physics and Mathematics School N199 and Tbilisi in the country of Georgia. Toradze plans to major in electrical engineering through the College of Engineering.
Learn more about the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Competition and the Williams Scholarship.
Original story by Melanie Brender appeared on the Honors College website.
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page