ECE students, staff, honored with MLK Spirit Awards

The MLK Spirit Awards are given annually to recognize members of U-M’s community “who exemplify the leadership and vision of Dr. King through their commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Recipients include students, student organizations, staff, and faculty members.

Below are the 2020 winners from ECE:

Students

Camille Burke

Camille is a senior studying Electrical Engineering with a focus in power systems and photonics. She is exceedingly passionate about using her engineering skills to service those in need. She has spent the majority of her college career leading humanitarian efforts all across the globe and plans to continue this work on a larger scale after college.

“To me, MLK day is a day for us to stop and think about a person on this earth like us who exhibited an incredible will and empathy to make revolutionary change and improve the well-being of humanity, especially people who look like me. It makes me reflect on myself and others around me and how we are all capable of doing that to some degree, even just a little. Receiving this award has given me a tangible understanding in how the work I do is truly admirable and necessary and has potential to change the world just like Martin Luther King Jr.”

Raheida Khalique

Raheida is a senior majoring in Electrical Engineering. She currently serves as the External Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers chapter at Michigan where she is able to explore her passion for outreach.

“I think MLK Day reminds us that it is important to stay grounded in your beliefs and to be a helping hand to others by creating possibilities and encouraging students to pursue STEM fields.”

Staff

Kristen Thornton

Kristen is the PhD Graduate Program Coordinator for ECE. She connects with students and helps them to know that they belong.  This is a passion of hers, and she enjoys taking time to get to know the students and understand who they are and how she can best assist them.

“Being recognized for the MLK Spirit is such an honor, and I am glad that I am able to work in ECE, a department that supports me in following one of my favorite MLK quotes, ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’”

Student Organizations

•  National Organization of Minority Architecture Students at the University of Michigan Chapter (NOMAS)
• Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)
• Women in Aeronautics & Astronautics (WAA)

The winners received their awards during a ceremony held on January 20^thin the Chesebrough Auditorium in the Chrysler Center.

The North Campus Deans’ MLK Spirit Awards are hosted by the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, the College of Engineering, Stamps School of Art & Design, and the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. The awards are held in conjunction with ArtsEngine and the Duderstadt Center.