MSU Sociology presents Stella Weinberg as the Ruth Hamilton Award recipient

This year's Ruth Hamilton Award has been given to Sociology senior Stella Weinberg.

"Stella is an incredibly bright young person who has a positive impact on whatever she does. She has been such a joy to have in the department. We will miss her!" said Dr. Sarah Prior, Sociology Undergraduate Program Director.

Stella originally was a psychology major but attributes her time with the Social Science Scholars for her interest in social justice issues and switching her major to Sociology with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies.

"I knew I was in the right place with Sociology because I just couldn't stop thinking about it, no matter what aspect of my life I was participating in," she said.

The Ruth Hamilton Award is one of MSU's “All-University Awards for Excellence,” which has a perpetual endowment, and is named after Dr. Ruth Simms Hamilton, a distinguished sociologist whose work over decades made major contributions to the understanding of the African Diaspora. Dr. Hamilton also made significant contributions to sociological theory and to our understanding of international migration, urbanization, and inequality.

"it is a great honor to receive the Ruth Hamilton Award!" Stella said. "Being presented with the award this year was really a full-circle moment for me and confirmed that all of my work through the Department of Sociology has paid off. I hope to honor Ruth Hamilton's legacy as I strive to reduce inequality through my future career aspirations."

After graduation, Stella will be applying her Sociology degree to her position as a College Advisor at West Ottawa High School through the MSU College Advising Corps.

"As an advisor with this program, I will be working with low-income and first-generation students to help them navigate the college application process – an experience that is known to be quite intimidating and complex. I am beyond excited to begin this position and am so thankful for everyone in the Department of Sociology, other MSU mentors and faculty members, and of course my friends and family for helping me get here," Stella said. "
Over the summer I will be returning home to Ann Arbor, Michigan. I plan to spend a bit of time traveling, camping, and working on a handful of craft projects before beginning my position in late August."