For Ella O’Neill, the decision to make a gift on Give Green Day was a “no-brainer.”
As president of the Global Sales Leadership Society at MSU, it was her job to keep members informed of this exciting day of giving.
A native Detroiter and senior studying communication, she looked around her community and saw Spartan generosity making a difference for her and her fellow students every day. She wanted to be a part of that positive difference. “The sales leadership minor program really changed my life. It’s the reason that I have the opportunities I have today," said Ella. "I wanted to give other students opportunities that I had.”
As Ella completed her degree in communication, her sales leadership minor guided her growth as a professional, helping her develop leadership skills and ethical discernment in sales. She particularly enjoyed participating in the Global Sales Leadership Society (GSLS) as a requirement for her minor.
The GSLS is a student-run organization that interacts regularly with corporate partners that hire in every major U.S. city. The organization offers fun, interactive and informative programs that help students network with sales professionals and develop the skills to land and excel in their dream job and stand out as a leader on Michigan State University’s campus.
As graduation approached, Ella picked up her Philanthropy Cord, for making her senior year gift. She walked across the commencement stage knowing that the green and white cord was more than just a symbol. It meant that she was part of something bigger than herself – made possible by the Spartans who walked the stage before her.
It felt full circle and rewarding,” says Ella. She recognized that the Spartans’ generosity made her own walk possible, and that donations build an everlasting legacy on campus and beyond.
“Generosity is like a ripple effect,” she says. “Once someone receives your gift on the other end, they're going to be motivated to give as well because they see the impact giving really had.”
Ella hopes that her gift and the support of all Spartans helps students in multiple ways, including with the mental stress of college. “I hope that people are able to see there's a community around them that support them and want them to succeed.”
Ella herself is now a successful Spartan alum working in a one-year sales associate program with Align Technology, and she hopes to continue giving back to Michigan State.
“Alumni and donations do so much for the university,” she says. “Just helping people is such a big aspect of being a Spartan and the fact that we can all come together as one is really inspiring. I definitely want to be a part of that."
LEARN MORE about the impact of gifts to MSU's Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign at farbetterworld.msu.edu.