B.A. Eli Broad College of Business, 1979
Alumni Service Award: Presented to Michigan State University alumni who have demonstrated service to MSU and/or meritorious public service on a local, state, national or international level.
She’s the president of the Arizona Spartans alumni club, architect of student opportunities and a Spartan.
Ann Burnett is a fervent supporter of Michigan State University and uses her time and talents generously to engage Spartans in her community and beyond. Following in the footsteps of her father, Burnett and two of her four children are proud alumni and dedicated advocates for Spartans worldwide.
Burnett takes action when it comes to securing a better future. She serves as the president of Arizona Spartans where she’s made purposeful and focused improvements to increase efficiency and future planning. Her ability to inspire others and organize efforts resulted in 15 board members, revised bylaws, a new mission statement, young alumni recruitment and several standing committees. Burnett and the Arizona Spartans have raised over $41,000 for their club’s scholarship endowment this year alone. Not only focused on fundraising, Burnett and her board continue to work on finding ways to engage AZ alumni. In addition to her alumni club involvement, Burnett was a volunteer for the Empower Extraordinary capital campaign, is an MSU Hannah Society donor, an event sponsor and volunteer organizer, planning numerous Spartans Serve projects that engage her club and the community in volunteerism.
Burnett’s leadership extends beyond campus. She has volunteered in many ways throughout her community including co chairing an inaugural fundraiser for the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts, being a board member and volunteer with the National Charity League, chairing numerous school fundraisers and auctions, and coaching softball and volleyball teams for her daughters.
She is a Spartan sports fan to the core and has been a football season ticket holder for 65 consecutive years, while also becoming a new season ticket holder for men's basketball this past year. When her son was a manager for the MSU women’s basketball team, Burnett got to know the coaches and has remained friends with many of the past players. Inspired by the team’s hard work and commitment, Burnett and her husband, Mike Medici, started a scholarship for the program which has provided financial assistance to players over the years.
“It’s the people that set Michigan State apart from other universities. The Spartan community is an outstanding and passionate group. When you’re passionate and believe in something strongly, you give back however you can.”
Who will engage with the community and beyond? Spartans Will.
Aimee Klevorn