MSU is a known powerhouse for activating the talents of student-athletes, and for many of MSU’s high-performing scholar-athletes that often means pursuing advanced degrees.
The Joey M. Spano MSU Varsity Alumni ‘S’ Graduate Endowed Fellowship is one way MSU donors are helping propel the leadership of former student-athletes.
The endowment was created in 2008 to honor Joey Spano, a varsity letter winner in three sports and a former, and first female, president of MSU’s Varsity S Club, a letter-winner network. Joey has become the endowment’s biggest cheerleader and advocate, growing the fund from an original pledge from the club of $35,000 to a value of more than $150,000 today. Joey has inspired pledges from numerous donors and has also become a significant contributor to the fund herself.
“I was stunned, and I couldn’t have been prouder,” said Joey about having the fellowship named in her honor. “It being part of The Graduate School at MSU just elevates the significance of it and I feel compelled to strongly support it.”
Assistance from the fellowship has helped former student-athletes earn graduate degrees in a wide variety of areas including accounting, engineering, business, communication, public administration, psychology, social science and human biology to name a few.
“It's important and extremely gratifying when MSU student-athletes succeed both in their chosen sport and in the classroom,” said Pero Dagbovie, dean of the Graduate School at MSU. “Named in honor of Joey Spano’s exceptional leadership and dedication to our community, this fellowship supports Spartan letter winners in realizing their full academic potential, helping empower them to become leaders and innovators in whatever graduate field they choose to pursue.”
Kurt Kivisto, a hockey player who received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from MSU, was the first recipient of the Spano graduate fellowship.
“My time at Michigan State was truly extraordinary—both on the ice and in the classroom,” said Kurt. “The unwavering support for athletic and academic excellence not only shaped my experience as a student-athlete but also prepared me exceptionally well for success in my career after graduation.”
Kurt is currently a construction project manager for Benesch, a civil engineering consulting company. He works in their construction group, which oversees work for clients including MDOT and local agencies. He and his wife live in Brighton where he coaches the Brighton High School hockey team and their two children also play hockey.
Kurt grew up playing hockey, including three years at Brighton High School. He played junior hockey in Cleveland in the NAHL for two seasons before being recruited by MSU. He was part of MSU’s National Championship-winning team in 2007.
The most recent recipient, Elizabeth Wheatley, said she is beyond thankful for the fellowship.
“This opportunity has not only allowed me to continue pursuing my athletic career but has also made it possible for me to advance my education in a challenging and rewarding graduate program,” she said.
Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree with a major in supply chain management and a master’s degree in market research and data analytics from MSU. She is currently working at Sazerac, in Louisville KY, as a supply chain leadership development professional, where she is building experience in operations and supply chain strategy.
Elizabeth played field hockey throughout her five years at MSU including as a consistent starter and team leader. She received Academic All-Big Ten honors and distinctions throughout her time on the team, culminating in the prestigious Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in her 2024 graduate season.
Joey herself earned a master’s degree in public relations from MSU, following a bachelor’s degree in the College of Education. She was the first in her family to go to college and never even considered attending any other school.
A natural athlete, her love of all things green and white began at age 10 as she watched MSU football teams compete in Rose Bowls. As a Detroiter, diversity was always part of the picture, and she was proud that MSU was breaking color barriers for student-athletes. Later she was intrigued with the campus and MSU’s agricultural roots.
At the start of her time at MSU, she played basketball where her 5’4” stature didn’t hold her back including from becoming a team co-captain. She later joined the softball team, building on her experience with neighborhood street pick-up games she’d enjoyed back home and starring on her high school varsity softball team. At MSU, she competed in two College World Series as shortstop. Recognizing her athletic prowess could be applied to nearly any endeavor, the field hockey coach asked her to join the team her senior year, even though Joey had never previously played field hockey.
She said an MSU degree coupled with her background as a student-athlete helped her land her first job as Recreation Coordinator for Holt Public Schools. Her long career included stints as parks and recreation director for Delhi Township and West Bloomfield Township and later Director of Community Education for the West Bloomfield School District. Her leadership in parks and recreation was recognized when she was a governor appointee to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, a policy-making board overseeing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Her professional achievements helped countless children and adults enrich their lives through education, enjoy the outdoors and adopt physical activities, but she had a personal aspiration as well.
“I don’t have children of my own, so I wanted to be the best aunt and great aunt possible and set a good example,” she recalled.
For Joey that meant inspiring her nieces and nephews, and now great nieces and nephews, to become Spartans. She’s been successful eight times over and counting! She isn’t shy about asking them to contribute to the fellowship either.
She believes Spartans will do extraordinary things, often uncommon things that others might not take on.
“Spartans have the drive and desire to help other people,” she said. “And the Spano graduate endowed fellowship is unique in helping some great Spartan letter winners in their pursuit of excellence.”
LEARN MORE about support for The Graduate School by contacting University Advancement Senior Executive Director Sarah Blom at blom@msu.edu or by calling (517) 410-7046.
