The 11th annual Michael N. Compton Public Affairs Essay Contest student recipients were presented on Nov. 6, 2025.  This annual contest is for MSU full-time undergraduate students and is a joint undertaking between the MSU Sigma Pi Fraternity, it’s alumni through the Institute for Development of Ethics and Leadership and the MSU Office of Public Affairs Support.  The Political Science Department also assist by sponsoring the two 2nd place prizes.  Essays are submitted on the public affairs theme for 2025-26, Resilient People, Resilient Future.  This year’s 32 essays submissions made it difficult to award only 6 prizes!

Congratulations to this year’s student winners.

• 1st Place = Trinity Tuggle, Freshman, Biomedical Sciences, MCHHS  (charity of choice was KC Pet Project)
• 2nd Place = Shawnewa Dahozy, Senior, Biomedical Sciences, MCHHS
• 2nd Place  = Warren Stulac, Junior, Childhood Ed & Family Studies, COE
• 3rd Place = Nguyen Huynh, Junior, Chemistry & Biochemistry, CNAS
• 3rd Place = Iris Vallier, Freshman, Theater & Dance, RCASH
• 3rd Place = Rachael Hartzell, Junior, Animal Science, DCOA

First place receives $1,500 cash prize plus $500 to donate to a charity or non-profit of choice.  Second place prizes are $300 MSU Bookstore gift cards and third place recipients each receive $150.

Picture:  Sigma Pi members congratulate the 2025 awardees. Front row from left to right, Shawnewa Dahozy, Rachael Hartzell, Trinity Tuggle, Iris Vallier and Nguyen Huynh.  Not pictured is online student, Warren Stulac.