Scholarships and Awards

Samaritan Scholar Award

Established by MSU alumni Jim and Judy DeLapa, the Samaritan Foundation has generously assisted students since 2003.

• Educational support for sophomores, juniors or seniors
• Award size is based on endowment capacity with anticipation for multiple students to receive an award of $5,000 each
• Must be a U.S. citizen and demonstrate financial need

Robert L. Decker & Benjamin Muns Friendship Memorial Scholarship

The Robert L. Decker and Benjamin Muns Friendship Memorial Scholarship is awarded in memory and recognition of two Ford Motor Company executives who worked together and, as friends, died together in a small airplane crash in June, 1990. The two men were committed to increasing productivity while enriching the quality of the workplace environment. Their wives created this scholarship to facilitate the continuance of the zest for life, concern for others, ideals and goals held by the two.

• Provides graduate study opportunities for qualified students during the fall, spring, or summer semester
• Award size is based on endowment capacity with anticipation for multiple scholarships of $6,000 awarded
• Recipients must demonstrate professional and academic achievements, financial need, and writing competence

Katrina Tagget Memorial Fellowship

This Fellowship honors Katrina Tagget. During her time at MSU, Katrina engaged in numerous co-curricular opportunities. Service to others was one of her most meaningful accomplishments. She served as an RCPD mentor helping others with disabilities maximize their potential. On September 20, 2008, Katrina Tagget left her place on earth. She remains highly regarded at the RCPD for her service to others, careful planning, pleasant demeanor, and academic capabilities. She made a difference in her brief life.

• This fellowship was established upon Katrina’s passing by her family and friends to memorialize Katrina’s contributions.
• Award size is based on endowment capacity and is awarded to students with disabilities that impact learning, who are academically and service-oriented

Anita Giampalmi Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded through the RCPD in memory and recognition of Anita Giampalmi, elementary education major and teacher. In April of 1995, Anita died of complications due to cystic fibrosis. Anita’s life symbolized the values of education, hard work, and the pursuit of life goals. She was known for her courage, tenacity, sense of humor, and integrity.

• Monetary reward and recognition of student with cystic fibrosis
• Award size is based on endowment capacity with anticipation of an award of $6,000
• Recipients should display academic achievement and goals, leadership ability, and strong writing skills

Shawn M. Koch Memorial Scholarship

Shawn Koch, College of Arts and Letters alum, was known for his voracious appetite for knowledge. Shawn lost his battle with brain cancer at 34 years of age. Family and friends established the Shawn M. Koch Memorial Fund to recognize students whose lives have been directly impacted by cancer and who share Shawn’s intellectual curiosity, leadership skills, work ethic, tenacity, and ability to positively impact the world.

• Award size is based on endowment capacity with anticipation of one or more awards of $2,000 each
• Applicants shall demonstrate financial need with priority given to MSU students whose lives have been directly impacted by cancer, either personally or through a family member or friend

Tower Guard Scholarship

This scholarship supports the students of Tower Guard, the sophomore honor organization that has, since 1934, facilitated academic success for MSU students. They are scholastically dedicated, consistently active, hard-working students who pledge to volunteer at least 120 hours supporting disabled students access exams and other print materials and making MSU an accessible home to all Spartans.

• Awarded annually to a member of Tower Guard for outstanding achievement and service

Education Abroad Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

This scholarship is funded in partnership with MSU Office for Education Abroad. This scholarship recognizes the value of studying abroad and international travel, activities that lead to acquisition of important personal skills and knowledge resulting in a more competitive resume for a future job market.

To be eligible for consideration you must:

1. Be a student with a documented disability
2. Have applied to a future, credit-bearing MSU education abroad program
3. Meet the eligibility criteria for the program

Victor Troubalos Scholarship

The Victor Troubalos Scholarship was established by Victor’s late sister, Anastasia. The son of Michigan State University alumnus, Dr. Stephen Troubalos (MSU ’40), Victor was born in 1951 in Milford, Connecticut. Victor experienced significant brain trauma at birth, causing cognitive and learning difficulties throughout his short sixteen-year life. Victor enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his sister Anastasia.

• Awarded annually to students reaching academic success, despite disability.
• To become eligible, students must complete the STATE program.

Trent Pysarchik Internship Endowment

Trent Pysarchik arrived at MSU as a freshman in 2004 and passed away in 2011 due to complications from the health conditions that initiated his RCPD involvement. He is remembered as loving, caring and determined and is celebrated for maintaining a positive outlook throughout the challenges he faced.

• We are honored to join Trent’s family in offering scholarships supporting quality internships that help students gain real-world experiences culminating in rewarding careers.
• Awarded annually beginning in 2020, this endowment will generally produce scholarships in excess of $2000.

Partnered Scholarships

The RCPD is pleased to partner with MSU programs and colleges to offer disability-related scholarships thus extending partnerships in support of academic excellence. Please contact our office with questions. 

Spirit of Ability Award

• Commemorates the empowering heritage of founders who saw beyond disabilities including May Shaw, Judy Gentile, James Hamilton, Dorothy Milbrook, James Bristor, and Caleb Sandoval
• Students and faculty are encouraged to nominate faculty and staff around campus who have made a positive difference in their time at MSU

Student Leadership and Service Award

• Recognizes outstanding leadership of students and organizations within the RCPD and broader community
• This award was created in honor of Jack Shingleton and Marge Chmielewski, mentors and friends to many at RCPD

Outstanding Alumnus Award

The Outstanding Alumnus Award recognizes the accomplishments, leadership and dedication of MSU graduates who make significant contributions to their field

In 2015, RCPD streamlined our awards to reinvent and reconnect with foundational leaders in a way that celebrates the passion and dedication of current vivid leaders making MSU a more accessible and inclusive place. We would like to thank the 2015 recipients for their commitment to RCPD and our mission.

The following list commemorates the vision and contributions of those who were recipients of past awards prior to 2015 - we are grateful for their legacy of service. 

• Judy K. Gentile Award
• James B. Hamilton Award
• Dorothy Millbrook Staff Award
• Marge Chmielewski Volunteer Award
• RCPD Award
• Student Leadership Award