Two graduating Wayne State University seniors will receive the prestigious Howard A. Donnelly Award during the university's spring commencement ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, in Cobo Arena. They are Kathryn Brogan of Detroit and Ty Stevenson of Caro.

The Donnelly Award is given annually to a man and to a woman in the spring graduating class in recognition for outstanding contributions to the university and to the community in the areas of student activities, leadership and service - consistent with superior scholarship - during their undergraduate years. There are approximately 2,700-degree candidates in the May graduation class.

Brogan is a student-athlete who will receive a Bachelor of Science degree, with distinction, from WSU's College of Science. She majored in dietetics and already has completed 15 credits toward a master's in nutrition and food science. She is active in several university organizations, including the Student Dietetics Association, of which she is president; the Student Athlete Advisory Committee; and the Golden Key National Honor Society.

Many volunteer community service projects have benefited from her participation, including Detroit Clean Sweep, Blight Busters, and the Detroit Lions Academy, for which she was a tutor and student liaison between student athletes and school principals. She also participated in a fundraiser for Alternatives for Girls and a canned food drive for soup kitchens around the city.

Her involvement in numerous facets of university life has resulted in Brogan's visiting Lansing on three occasions to meet with state legislators regarding opportunities WSU provides in education, research and athletics. A four-time letter winner in volleyball, Brogan was co-captain of the team in 2001.

Among the honors she has received are an undergraduate research grant for a study on the effect of dietary fiber on weight gain; a WSU Presidential Scholarship; an athletic scholarship; a department of nutrition and food science undergraduate scholarship; the Southeastern Michigan Dietetics Association Scholarship; an athletic-academic recognition award; six semesters on the dean's list; and eight semesters on the athletic director's honor roll. She also was named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.

Stevenson is an honors English major and student athlete who will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree, with distinction, from the College of Liberal Arts. He has captained the university baseball team for an unprecedented four seasons, has counseled teammates with personal problems and aided them with their studies. He also is active on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and has helped implement activities, policies and programs that advance both the athletics program and the university at large.

He participated in a Thanksgiving food drive, tutored at the Detroit Lions Academy and provided volunteer service during the Detroit Clean Sweep program.

A mentor to children at the Jefferson First Presbyterian Church, Stevenson also was a group leader and chaperone for Caro High School's 10-day educational trip to Europe for 40 students. As a leader he helped plan and supervise the tour.

Stevenson was a student athlete representative to the University Advising Center, a WSU baseball camp instructor and a speaker at the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in February of this year. Awards bestowed on him include a WSU Presidential Scholarship; inclusion on the dean's list every semester and membership in the Warrior Elite, an honor society for athletes with grade-point averages of 3.5 and above. He also was named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic team in 2002.