Michael Spory, a 2011 草莓社区 (EMU) graduate, was one of 16 students nationwide accepted into through Christ College, an interdisciplinary honors college at Valparaiso University.
Spory, who graduated from EMU with degrees in and , will enroll in a dual degree master of architecture and master of community and regional planning program at the College of Design at Iowa State University in the fall of 2012.
鈥淎lthough I am still very new to the field, I am interested in looking at design as a tool for economic and community development, rural architecture, and international and socially conscious environmental design,鈥� Spory said.
Spory was selected from among 61 students nominated from the 95 schools that are members of the of church-related colleges and universities.
As a Lilly Fellow, Spory will attend four conferences over the next three years to collaborate with other fellows, senior scholars and luminaries who integrate research, teaching, vocation and an interest in church-related higher education. He will receive three annual $3,000 stipends for use as needed.
The current program will end in the fall of 2015, with the graduate fellows being introduced to representatives of the Lilly Fellows Program National Network at the network鈥檚 annual national conference.
While at EMU, Spory was co-president of the for two years and was involved in and . He was also an intern with EMU’s . He was a recipient of one of EMU鈥檚 highest awards, the 鈥溾�� as a graduating senior.
, chair of at EMU, said Spory is “an integrative thinker, drawing connections between his courses, cross-cultural experiences and extracurricular activities. His work consistently demonstrated creativity, attention to detail and strong design skills.”
A native of Boswell, Pennsylvania, Spory has been a marketing and sales associate with since June 2011. He attends Zion Mennonite Church in Broadway.