Henry and Donnelly awards

Joseph Gjonaj ‘23 earned a bachelor’s in biological sciences and minor in public health from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Joseph attributes much of his personal development to getting involved in extracurriculars. Starting his freshman year Joseph joined the Albanian American Student organization to connect with peers and become an ambassador of his culture at Wayne State, ultimately rising to President. Seeking to contribute to his community, Joseph became a volunteer at Play-Place Autism and Special Needs Center, where even today he interacts with individuals of all ages on the spectrum, cultivating senses of inclusion and acceptance. Joseph also served as a medical assistant in a primary care office, specializing in addiction medicine. In addition, Joseph began to conduct research in two labs, studying the effects of SSRI on individual behavior in zebrafish, and in The Heart of Detroit Study investigating the psychosocial determinants of cardiovascular disease risk in older African Americans. Joseph also was able foster other students' success at Wayne State by becoming a learning assistant for the Genetics course, helping students develop a greater understanding of the subject and navigate complex problems. Joseph is preparing to enter medical school, continuing his journey in becoming an outstanding community-oriented provider.

Grace Reyes ‘23 a member of the Journalism Institute of Media Diversity (JIM), earned a bachelor's in broadcast journalism from the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, with a minor in communication studies. Along with studying for her degree, Grace also worked, interned and volunteered at various organizations including Detroit Dog Rescue. Grace credits JIM and Professor Nails for providing continuous academic and networking opportunities, especially during the pandemic, that she credits her career successes to. As a mentee and advisor, Professor Nails taught Grace the importance of accountability, responsibility and what it takes to be a journalist today. Grace also credits Professor Gibbs and the course Managing Diversity in the Workplace for providing her with encouragement to get involved with the continuous DEI activations in her industry. Grace believes journalism is the backbone of society and uses her writing capabilities to empower people of all backgrounds and ethnicities. Grace also was inducted into the Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Association as well as a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Marcus Cunningham ‘24 earned a bachelor's in nursing from the College of Nursing. Marcus credits all the professors and clinical instructors he learned from at Wayne State, each imparting knowledge and perspectives that collectively provided him the skills to become an effective and compassionate nurse. One meaningful experience was participating in research on improving the social isolation of Detroit senior citizens. Marcus gained valuable skills through applying theoretical course knowledge to real-world healthcare settings, seeing the direct impact on seniors’ lives. Drawn to the opportunity to support and mentor fellow students while fostering a sense of community, Marcus also worked for three years as a Resident Advisor for Wayne State Housing. With a goal of creating spaces for open dialogue and a supportive environment where residents could share and learn stress coping strategies and access resources, Marcus organized a series of programs on mental health issues and well-being. Marcus also has a passion for geriatric nursing care and volunteering. Marcus had the privilege of assisting a disabled professor with daily tasks, including home navigation and organizing educational materials. Over time, Marcus’ role extended beyond physical assistance; he began to provide emotional support and companionship, engaging in conversations and offering encouragement during challenging moments.

Marcus Keys ’24 earned a bachelor’s in construction management from the College of Engineering. Marcus lavishes praise on WSU’s Office of Military and Veterans Academic Excellence for paving the way forward after his Marine Corps service. Entering the construction management program with no prior exposure, he focused on math classes, a previously challenging subject. Achieving A’s in all his math courses boosted Marcus’ confidence. Core classes such as Estimating and Bidding, Residential and Commercial Land Development, and Construction Planning and Scheduling provided a broad industry perspective. Courses such as Construction Law, Building Codes, and Introduction to Green Construction deepened his understanding of essential topics, laying the foundation for a successful career. Crediting exposure to WSU faculty and contemporaries, Marcus refined his leadership skills learned in the Marine Corps, inspiring his peers in their successful senior capstone project and obtaining a coveted internship at Walbridge. Committed to community service, Marcus was appointed to the Neighborhood Advisory Committee in Detroit’s New Center area by The City of Detroit’s Planning and Development Department. Elected as secretary, he played a vital role and through the power of communal involvement and collaboration, negotiated the largest benefits package in Community Benefits Ordinance history, totaling $602,000,000 in community benefits.