Michigan State University has awarded comprehensive scholarships to 51 extraordinary incoming first-year students, nine of whom will be joining Lyman Briggs this fall.
Comprehensive merit scholarships have been an MSU tradition for over 71 years: Alumni Distinguished Scholarships were established in 1955, University Distinguished Scholarships were initiated in 2000, and the Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarships began in 2024.
“The Williams Scholarship enables our university to empower this group of talented scholars to pursue excellence without limits,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “With a global network, a culture of discovery, and a commitment to access and opportunity, MSU is uniquely positioned to help extraordinary students grow their talents and expand their impact on the world.”
The scholarships are considered some of the most competitive awards in the nation. They cover full tuition, room and board, and a stipend for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study.
Each awardee also receives a spot in the MSU Honors College’s Professorial Assistantship program, which provides a two-year paid research placement with a faculty mentor.
Alumni Distinguished Scholars
Alumni Distinguished Scholars are outstanding high school graduates who applied to MSU, wrote short essay responses, took an intensive general knowledge exam, and participated in interviews with the selection committee of faculty and staff this past winter.
2026 Alumni Distinguished Scholarship winners include the following Briggsies:
- Fiona Burke of Lane Technical High School and Chicago, Illinois. Burke plans to major in biology.
- Peter Moe of Grosse Pointe North High School and Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. Moe plans to major in neuroscience.
Williams Scholars
The Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarship is named for MSU’s inaugural president and first lady. Williams Scholars followed the same selection process as Alumni Distinguished Scholars: applying to MSU, submitting essays, taking a general knowledge exam, and interviewing with a faculty-staff committee.
The scholarship program is differentiated by an experiential learning opportunity, which awardees can propose and pursue with an additional $7,500 stipend.
The 2026 Williams Scholars in Lyman Briggs include:
- Layla Bajric of Ford II High School and Macomb, Michigan. Bajric plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology.
- Brady Crossetta of Williamsville South High School and Buffalo, New York. Crossetta plans to major in chemistry.
- Aletha Elser of Farmington High School and Farmington Hills, Michigan. Elser plans to major in genetics and genomics.
- Mia Juzych of Academy of the Sacred Heart and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Juzych plans to major in human biology.
- Mahathi Mathiyazhagan of Okemos High School and Okemos, Michigan. Mathiyazhagan plans to major through Lyman Briggs College.
- Kiran Ofei-Amoh of Pickerington High School Central and Pickerington, Ohio. Ofei-Amoh plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology/biotechnology.
- Simrin Rao of Carroll Senior High School and Southlake, Texas. Rao plans to major in neuroscience.
We look forward to welcoming these students to LBC in the fall!
Article adapted from the original Honors College news release. Our thanks to Melanie Brender.