The 3rd annual Globie Awards luncheon was held Thursday, April 9, at the Spartan Club, where more than 150 were honored for the role they play in welcoming international students and scholars to MSU.

From this esteemed group, the Office for International Students and Scholars has selected 3 winners of the 2009 Globie Award: 1) Sally McClintock, one of the founders of Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-cultural Education (LATTICE), nominated by Norseha Unin; 2) Patricia Walters from the English Language Center, nominated by Amy Kroesche; and 3) Laura Sologuren Sanchez, an international student from Bolivia who started both the Latinas On the Move and Books for Africa student organizations, nominated by Jamie Servoss.

The most important thing we can do is help international students, faculty and visitors feel welcome when they come to MSU, said Yong Zhao, University Distinguished Professor from the College of Education, in closing comments.

When you are from another place, you want to feel that you can make a contribution, he said, noting that groups and individuals who value diversity are what make this possible.

I want to thank [everyone] for taking time to recognize others who make MSU a welcoming environment for internationals, Zhao said.

In 2007, OISS started a new tradition with the 1st annual Globie Awards. This award is given to people on campus and in the community who have distinguished themselves by their service to international students and scholars.

For more information and video interviews with the winners and nominators, see the OISS Web site at http://www.oiss.msu.edu