A moment of generosity on Give Green Day became an anchor for Addyson Richard, a transfer student studying film in the College of Arts & Letters. It was the middle of the spring semester, and Addyson was busy with classes and paying for her education, but she felt that giving a little would make a big difference.
So, on March 11, she donated $5 each to the MSU Libraries Comic Art Expendable Fund and the MSU Film and Video Preservation Fund. The gifts were matched and resulted in a $10 donation going to each fund.
Her gifts made a significant impact long beyond that one day of giving. Just 11 days later, Addyson’s best friend — a fellow transfer student and the first person she met at MSU — passed away unexpectedly.
In those dark days of grief, she was anchored by her gifts on Give Green Day. “I believe that my donation had taken on a stronger meaning,” says Addyson. What started as a simple act of kindness became a source of comfort; a bright positive moment that she could hang on to.
Giving was something good that she hoped to do more of, in honor of her friend.
Addyson often reflects on her memories of her fellow Spartan, who she describes as a triumph of a person. “That night I met her, we went to go and play pinball and we ended up beating the old Konami Simpsons game,” Addyson remembers.
It was the beginning of a great friendship and for the next six months they went to concerts together, zipped around campus on a scooter and worked on a short film. Much talking and laughter was involved. “She was so kind to me,” says Addyson.
Now, Addyson is grateful for moments of generosity; for her film professors, who supported her through tough times, and for MSU faculty/staff working with the comics collection and film preservation. “What they’re doing is integral. I congratulate that.”
Addyson gave with her heart to the areas that she was most passionate about. "It is ultimately one of the most rewarding experiences because there's a human connection towards where you put your money.”
By giving to MSU Libraries’ world-renowned Comic Art Collection and University Archives and Historical Collections film and video preservation efforts, Addyson did her part to ensure vital mediums of storytelling would be available for future students.
“Preserving film that's on a 35mm, an 8mm or someone's home movie, that's worth it to understand human potential and what we've done with this medium,” says Addyson.
For Addyson, film is about bringing perspective to life. And she has her own perspective to contribute.
“As someone who is autistic, I have a very distinct eye to art,” Addyson says. “I always saw the world with somewhat of a cinematic eye, like a third person sort of view.” It was that cinematic eye that brought her to MSU, and her talent for the visual arts grew on campus.
The connection between film and comics means a lot to Addyson. “I've always thought of comics and film as blood brothers in terms of sequential storytelling,” she says. And now, her moment of generosity has given her hope for the storytellers of the future.
Addyson plans to do some storytelling of her own; writing and directing films, earning a master’s in film and possibly working as a professor.
And no matter what, the memory of Addyson’s friend lives on in her mission to tell great stories and to make a difference anchored in moments of generosity.
LEARN MORE about the impact of gifts to MSU's Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign at farbetterworld.msu.edu.