Dr. Michael N. Compton Public Affairs Essay Contest

Essay submission deadline | October 19, 2025

Developing citizen Scholars through public affairs.

The 11th annual Dr. Michael N. Compton Public Affairs Essay Contest is a joint undertaking between the MSU Sigma Pi Fraternity, it's alumni through the Institute for Development of Ethics and Leadership and the MSU Office of Public Affairs Support.

Submit a short essay by October 19th on any aspect of the 2025-26 public affairs theme, Resilient People, Resilient Future.

Essay winners

Sigma Pi members congratulate the 2024 awardees. Front row from left to right, Alexis Gralike, Arwa Abdelhakiem, Abigail Dendish and far right, Jenavieve Phillips. Iraia Arrue and Mary Schwanke not pictured.

Congratulations 2024 recipients!

FIRST PLACE

Alexis Gralike

Freshman, Elementary Education major

Received $1,500 plus $500 to a charity or non-profit of choice. Contest funds are made possible by IDEAL (Sigma Pi Fraternity's alumni non-profit organization).

Nonprofit donation: Project Night Night

winner with charity big check

SECOND PLACE

Received $300 MSU Bookstore gift cards sponsored by the Political Science Department.

Arwa Abdelhakiem | Cell & Molecular Biology

Jenavieve Phillips | Social Work

THIRD PLACE

Received $125 check sponsored by IDEAL.

Iraia Arrue, Information Technology & Cybersecurity

Abby Dendish, Elementary Education

Mary Schwanke, Spanish and Languages

Questions & Disclaimer

Missouri State's Office of Public Affairs Support assists with the campus administration portions of the contest. Contact 417-836-8832 or PublicAffairs@MissouriState.edu

All aspects of this essay contest, including prize distribution, is at the discretion of IDEAL and the essay review committee.

2025 Entry and Prize Information