Michigan State University’s homecoming week was highlighted by the annual alumni Grand Awards Ceremony honoring distinguished individuals selected by the Michigan State University Alumni Association Awards Committee. This prestigious event took place on Thursday October 14, 2010, in the elegant Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center which sits directly across from the Michigan State Brody dorms on South Harrison Road.
The awards given out included the Honorary Alumni Award, Alumni Service Award, Distinguished Young Alumni Award, Philanthropist Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Award. There were only two awards given out for each category, except for the Distinguished Alumni Award where four different alumni were granted this award.
As the award recipients stepped up on stage they were only given a three minute speech time perimeter on why they were thankful for the award, but they all crossed the time limit making sure they got every word they wanted to say out after receiving such a reputable award. The awardees included William Lazerand and Angelo Oricchio for the Honorary Alumni Award, David Haverila and George “Lee” Rock for the Alumni Service Award, Monica Braman and Manpreet Kaur Singh for the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, Marcella “Marcie” Schalon and Michael Serling for the Philanthropist Award, and William “Bill” Livingood, Linda Chapman Stone, Kiat Tan, and Craig Murry for the Distingushed Alumni Award.
To be such a notable event the atmosphere was really laid back and relaxing. All of the guests caught up with old friends and cracked jokes with each other while listening to the inspirational speeches of the recipients. There were some things one will never forget about that night, such as some of the other wonderful guests and the three course meal. One thing that they everyone will take with them are some of the things that the awardees said in their speeches. In everyone of the recipients speeches there was a word or a sentence that connected to those sitting in the crowd that made them want to do better and work harder to achieve or reach past the dreams they already have.
“Learn the cost of everything and the value of nothing” Kiat Tan said.
This diction made the whole crowd stop and wonder because it was so deep in meaning. This abstruse quote first spoken by Oscar Wilde took a while to comprehend, but once people realized the meaning there was a quiet sound of understanding that came from the lips of the majority of those in attendance. Kiat Tan’s words tells us that as one moves a long on their journey in this forever changing world, to be proactive and optimistic one has to stop caring about the cost of things and see the value of nothing. Following this will bring greatness and the opportunity to give back.
“Give not until it hurts but until it feels good” Michael Serling said.
These words by Michael Serling were pretty much the theme of everyone speaking at the Grand Awards Ceremony. After the event it was well known that once someone makes it or has become successful they should always help others in any way possible. However, people should not give back because someone is making them or because they feel like they have to for some odd reason. People should give back because it makes them feel good knowing they have made life a little easier for someone else.
The 2010 Grand Awards Ceremony was once again successful. Great attendance, superb location and set up, and renown award recipients with touching speeches. Might have been the best so far, but it was for a fact one of the biggest highlights of the 2010 Michigan State homecoming week. Another year of the Grand Awards Ceremony has passed which means another set of bricks have been laid down as the alumni set the path for future graduates of Michigan State University.
Sources:
Andrea Kovac: Interview over email
Kiat Tan: Speech quote
Michael Serling: Speech quote
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