Caleb Sandoval, beloved Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) Ability Access Specialist, was recognized for his contributions in making the Spartan community more inclusive for students, faculty, and visitors. Beginning with the founding of Tower Guard in the 1930’s and continuing through the decades with leaders who made significant contributions during their time at the university, MSU fosters a Spirit of Ability that greets challenges with a sense of community, self-efficacy, and future potential.
Caleb Sandoval valued education and personal investment throughout his time at MSU, both when he was an undergraduate student and when he was an RCPD employee. Caleb began his MSU journey in 1995, when he arrived on campus as a freshman intent on earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Caleb was a registered RCPD student for his visual impairment throughout his undergrad. He came to appreciate RCPD’s mission so much that he joined the team as a student employee, helping foster inclusivity on the MSU campus. Upon completion of that degree in 2004, he followed his interests to earn a Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and joined the Bar in 2009. He regularly credited his MSU experience, including his relationship with the RCPD and other programs, as pivotal in his academic and life successes. He learned to redefine his visual impairment as a reality that could add purpose and insight to his work and empowered others to navigate disability challenges toward academic and life successes. Following work in several aspects of legal practice, Caleb served as an Ability Access Specialist from 2015 through his untimely passing on March 13, 2022. He was deeply appreciated and remembered at MSU and beyond for his skills, friendship, and advocacy. Caleb lived out RCPD’s slogan, “Maximizing Ability and Opportunity,” through his life-changing relationships, and his legacy continues to impact the MSU community.
The endowment that RCPD is building in Caleb’s name, the “Caleb Sandoval Spirit of Ability Endowment,” will generate activities by working in tandem with the previously existing Spirit of Ability Award. According to Director Michael Hudson, these activities will include:
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Events, speakers, and activities that bring a message of possibility or otherwise help this community lead in our work of promoting and growing ability;
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Awards, scholarships, and honoraria that recognize progress and grow expectation of what is possible as people work to maximize ability and,
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Other endeavors supporting visionary ideas that foster capacity and strengthen the community of people with disabilities
This endowment is a gift from friends and family of Caleb and is intent on advancing a Spirit of Ability at MSU consistent with evolving needs. It will provide the RCPD and its successors resources to fund and develop activities that grow a community of capability at MSU.
If you are interested in donating to the Caleb Sandoval Spirit of Ability Award endowment, visit this link: https://givingto.msu.edu/crowdpower/caleb-sandoval-spirit-of-ability-award
Caleb’s obituary can be found here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lansing-mi/caleb-sandoval-10628210
