As the summer season begins, we congratulate the successful Tower Guard class of 2023-2024. This year, Tower Guard comprised of 74 dedicated and passionate sophomores led by Sydney Mueller, President. Members diligently partnered with RCPD to support students with disabilities, fundraise, and work towards making MSU a more accessible home for all Spartans. Members were thrilled to begin the year with the tradition of decorating a Homecoming float and walking in the parade, spreading the organization’s mission. Spartan Study, a program that provides in-person and virtual tutoring support to RCPD students, began in the fall as a form of academic support as well as an opportunity to study alongside peers.
In the spring, Tower Guard was ecstatic to finally have a sunny and precipitation-free morning for the annual Shamrock 5K! Runners, walkers, and rollers were greeted by Sparty and Zeke the Wonder Dog, the ultimate cheerleaders. The race had the highest registration rate since its creation- nearly 400 guests! This event enabled Tower Guard to spread its message, promote the Disability Awareness Campaign (pioneered by advisor Ed Timke and its impact team) with bracelets including the campaign’s message in text and braille, and fundraise for RCPD endowed programming.
A huge thank you to 5K run chairs, Julia Gilchrist and Kate Lossing, and the entire 5K impact team for making this event possible!
Throughout the year, Tower Guard had the honor of partnering with BOND, CSD, and the Adaptive Sports Club for various events and opportunities. In the end of March, Tower Guard Council of Students with Disabilities (CSD) liaison, Mary Cottone, worked with the CSD group to welcome disability rights advocate, Imani Barbarin, for a presentation. The event encouraged reflection, a safe space of learning and sharing, and how to make this world a more accessible place for all. Members later helped set-up for a film discussion open to all of campus, viewing Deej followed by an in-depth conversation on what inclusion looks like in the community and what it can look like.
On April 5, 2024, Tower Guard Big Sibs were led by Nolan Lucera, Vice President, in surprising Tower Guard inductees and their families at the sunrise induction in front of Beaumont Tower. 72 freshmen were inducted into the organization and were celebrated by advisors, MSU administration including newly elected President Guskiewicz, RCPD staff, and the musical talents Capital Green. The ceremony was followed by a breakfast hosted in the Union featuring a student experience speech given by MSU student, Nicole Hinman. It was a glorious day and an exciting start to next year’s Tower Guard experience!
Before members entered final exam season, members gathered one early Tuesday morning in April to paint the MSU Rock, a notable symbol on campus promoting different events, memorials, and student groups. They skillfully decorated the Rock in honor of Autism Acceptance Month. Volunteers signed their work with their handprints, symbolizing their final impression for this year’s Tower Guard.
As Faculty Advisor, I would like to congratulate and thank fellow advisors, Mike Jenkins and Ed Time, student advisor, Sakari Wilcox, Tower Guard e-board, and all of its members on creating another year full of memories and successes! Click the following link to view the end-of-year video that the 2023-2024 Historian, Manuel Vallejo, produced summarizing Tower Guard’s experiences throughout their year: https://youtu.be/NBJu55iZ6HU