Monika Johnson
Approach Beaumont Tower on an early May morning and one will find 70 of Michigan State University's most dedicated students. Tower Guard, MSU's sophomore honors organization, gathers here for the annual "May Morning Sing" to induct new members and reflect on the group's accomplishments and dedication to the RCPD. The tradition resonates the organization's enthusiasm for serving others and commitment to MSU.
"One of the most memorable moments in Tower Guard for me was May Morning Sing. I could reflect on everything we had done and how much we had helped the RCPD. It's great to see the organization renewed every year and having more people to help," said Piper Marunick, the 2006-2007 President and Education major.
Tower Guard, founded in 1934, contributes over 7,200 hours of service to the RCPD every year in the form of creating resources for students to use and one on one assistance. Upon its founding, the organization dedicated itself to students with disabilities. "Mary Shaw envisioned an organization of all females that would assist blind students on campus," said Bryan Blasé, Tower Guard President and Human Biology major. Males were invited to join in the mid-1970s.
As the only student organization with a key to Beaumont Tower, they play a key role in the history of MSU, Tower Guard hosts tours of the tower during Homecoming Week, and the second floor holds their scrapbooks and historical remnants. Until it became too small for the flourishing group, members would read to visually impaired students in the tower as well.
Students in the top five percent of the Freshman class are invited to be in Tower Guard for their Sophomore year. "It was a thrill and an honor to be invited- we do good things for the community, and it's nice to be a part of," said Blasé. Each student is required to fulfill 120 hours of service to be an active member.
Since 1934, technology and methods of assisting disabled students has changed, but Tower Guard's activism has grown. Today, members are especially committed to assisting blind and vision impaired students. By scanning books into an electronic format, they assist students in their academics and enable vision impaired MSU students to study and read textbooks like their peers. Each book takes approximately seven hours to scan and edit; a member then posts the book to an online database for the disabled.
Tower Guard members are also highly involved in one on one assistance to students with disabilities. "I have a huge, newfound respect for students with disabilities. Once I was helping a blind student take a test, and there was a word bank with over 20 words in it. I only had to read it once- it was very impressive. Other students are blind and are able to get around campus easily. I am constantly in awe," said Marunick.
In addition to hands on service, Tower Guard contributes funds to the RCPD. Their annual fundraiser, the Shamrock Run, boasts over 400 participants, running through campus in honor of the RCPD.
Currently, Tower Guard's major project is a scholarship endowment. "We're currently reconnecting with alumni to help contribute. It's a great thing to connect with the past for progress toward the future," said Marunick. Alumni are major contributors to the RCPD. Marunick describes the Tower Guard fund as "Tied to the Past and Bound for the Future." The group must have $30,000 in the endowment fund by 2012, though their future goal is $100,000 in order to provide at least five scholarships per year.
Tower Guard carries a trend of connecting with MSU alumni and creating a foundation for students' futures. Members describe the experience of helping the RCPD as enlightening and inspiring. "It has been a life changing experience. I'll carry these values throughout my life, and I'll never forget it. I'll tell my kids, ‘I was in Tower Guard,'" said Marunick.
*Historic Tower Guard Photographs belong to the university and are courtesy of Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections