Christine Michelson, ’13, has made her mark at BSU, and her accomplishments, along with those of more than two dozen of her peers, were honored at the statehouse.
Ms. Michelson was named as one of this year’s 29 Who Shine at a ceremony held in front of the grand staircase of the Massachusetts State House.
The honorees are chosen due to their academic achievements and record of student leadership and community service. The honorees are expected to contribute greatly to the civic life and economic well-being of the state.
Ms. Michelson has gone above and beyond these expectations on and off campus. She graduated from BSU with bachelor’s degrees in both special education and sociology. Now she will graduate with a master’s degree in special education.
“I am very honored and humbled to be nominated for this award at the culmination of my program at BSU,” she said. “Without the extraordinary support of the entire faculty and staff of the College of Education and Allied Studies, specifically those in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders and others throughout BSU, I strongly feel my achievements would have not been possible.”
Ms. Michelson has put her resourceful abilities and leadership spirit to work on behalf of others at BSU. She founded and guided the BSU Buddies, a student club dedicated to improving the lives of area residents with developmental disabilities. She was responsible for BSU’s adoption of "Light it Up Blue for Autism," a national effort to light public buildings and landmarks to raise awareness of autism. She also developed a project entitled, "Movement Arts Goes Green," which expose children with developmental disabilities to theater arts activities including acting, set design, signing and singing.
"Having a successful event such as the numerous BSU Buddies activities or ‘Light it Up Blue at BSU’ that raise awareness and to see the happiness of those who attend is extremely rewarding,” she said. “Without the support of the members of the BSU community and beyond, these would not be possible. To see it all come together provides a feeling of happiness that is indescribable."
Ms. Michelson is currently seeking a teaching position in the field of special education in a middle or high school setting.
Photo caption: Flanking Ms. Michelson are her mentors, Dr. Lisa Battaglino, dean of the College of Education and Allied Studies, and Dr. J Edward Carter, graduate coordinator and professor in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. (Photos submitted; story by student Caitlin Seddon, University News)
