Those who frequent the International Center lobby should keep an eye out for some new wall decorations, as this year’s Global Focus photography competition winners have been chosen and will be framed and on display soon. 

The contest, which has for more than a decade taken entries from students, faculty, staff and alumni, allows members of the MSU community to share their international experiences through photographs. Taken on study abroad, business trips or personal ventures, the hundreds of photographs sent in to International Studies and Programs are narrowed down to a first, second and third place in each category.

First place went to a photograph of three young boys in a window watching the street below in Bhutan by mechanical engineering alum Donald Roberts titled “Watching the Festival,” a tranquil image titled “Boat House” by technology instructor Sean Leahy, and nutritional sciences student Ryan Walker’s “Mt. Bromo Sunrise.”

First, second and third place winners are chosen by a panel of three judges from across the university, but there is also the “People’s Choice” award which is determined by the public. Photos were posted in online galleries where the public could vote for their favorite one.

“People’s Choice” winners were “Pre-dawn on the Ganges” by social science alum Glenn Detrick, associate professor of Hispanic studiesRocio Quispe-Agnoli’s “Dawn by the Sundial” and nutritional sciences junior Zachary Gaudette’s “The Roof of Africa.”

These pictures, along with the second and third places from each category, will be featured in publications and Web sites by contest co-sponsors International Studies and Programs and the MSU Alumni Association to promote international awareness and understanding.

To see this year’s Global Focus winners, keep an eye on the display in the lobby of MSU’s International Center or visit www.isp.msu.edu/photocontest to see them now.