Eastern Michigan University announces second and third-round winners of the “Get the VAX to WIN” program

Free semester of housing, $5,000 credit to student account, new computer among the winning prizes

Vax to Win graphic

Ypsilanti, MI — Eastern Michigan University recently announced its second and third-round round of winners for its “Vax to Win” program. In an effort to keep our community safe, the program was launched to encourage students, staff and faculty to get vaccinated for the opportunity to win more than $40K in prizes.

This is the third of five opportunities students, staff and faculty will have to receive one of 150 prizes ranging from  $1,000 and $5,000 credits on student accounts, free room and board, free parking, $100 bookstore gift cards, or $500 payments. To be eligible to receive a prize, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and verify your vaccination status

The University is pleased to announce its second and third-round winners:

  • $5,000 credit - Alexys Hendrickson of Durand, Mich., studying nursing, Daniel Asam, of Riverview, Mich., studying information systems

  • $1,000 credit - Gianna Salzbrunn of North Aurora, Ill., studying sports management, Rebekah Sebok of Plymouth, Mich., studying engineering physics, Bryce Stuart of Wixom, Mich., studying information assurance and cyber defense, Linus Venemann of Osnabrück Germany, studying electrical and computer engineering, LJ Sarten of Livonia, Mich.,, studying social work, Hind Al Khashali of West Bloomfield, Mich., studying neuroscience, Eman B. of Dearborn, Mich., studying business administration and Isaac Crepeau of Escanaba, Mich., studying political science

  • New computer - Jua'Chelle Harmon of Ypsilanti, Mich., studying psychology, Kaitlin Brady of Brighton, Mich., studying pre-health 

  • Free on-campus housing for one semester - Cromwell Bost of Detroit, Mich., studying Computer Science -- Applied, Siri Quist of Big Rapids, Mich., studying theatre arts, Miranda Watson of Parma, Mich., studying environmental science, Alyssa Kostrzewa of Flat Rock, MI, studying early education

  • Free parking for one semester - Bethany McCormick of Perrysburg, Ohio, studying secondary education, Kelly Farnsworth of Wyandotte, MI, studying secondary education

  • $100 Bookstore gift card - Nour Selmane of Ann Arbor, Mich., studying public health, Lucas Pittel of Wixom, Mich., studying sport management, Anna Stark of Hudsonville, Mich., studying orthotics & prosthetics, Aidan Morgan of Plymouth, Mich., major undecided, Noah Outman of Falmouth, Mich., studying athletic training

  • $100 Dining credit - Sarah Bratton of Davidson, Mich., studying occupational therapy, Callahan Burns of Almont, Mich., studying public health, Joelle Thompson of Farmington Hills, Mich., studying public health, Chantelle Franklin of Livonia, Mich., studying social work, Dejamay Tabscott of Southfield, Mich., studying master of science in human resources and organizational development, Summer Torres of Bangor, Mich., studying international affairs, Colleen Magner of Severna Park, Md., studying pre-occupational therapy, Cristobal Acosta of Saline, Mich., studying social work, Brooke Raap of Grand Rapids, Mich., studying nursing, Sarah Alber of Ypsilanti, Mich., studying communication 

Eastern continues to experience a much lower positive case count, a trend that is consistent with the University’s history since the beginning of the pandemic. For student winners Alexys Hendrickson of Durand, Michigan and Bethany McCormick of Perrysburg, Ohio, getting the vaccine was important so they could keep the people around them safe.

Hendrickson said she’s completely surprised and so grateful for winning one of the top prizes. “It was so important for me to get vaccinated because at the time I worked at a nursing home and I wanted to keep my sweet residents safe. Currently, I work at a daycare, so even now it is so important to me to keep the littles safe. I also cheer at Eastern Michigan, so it’s important to keep my teammates safe.”

“I feel lucky to be a winner since there are so many other students on campus that entered the drawing,” said McCormick. “It was important for me to get vaccinated, so I am protected against COVID-19 and can get back to seeing people safely in person,” she said. “I won a semester of free parking, so I think this will help me academically because I can get to my classes easier and I can use the money I would’ve spent on a parking pass on other school related items,” she added. 

Future drawings will take place in the coming weeks where a proportional number of winners of each prize will be selected. For example, one eligible student will be selected to win a $5,000 credit to their student account on each of the five drawing dates, for a total of five winners of that prize.

Eastern has developed the EMU Safe program website  to address COVID-19 and keep the campus community safe.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

October 18, 2021

Written by:
Melissa Thrasher

Media Contact:
Melissa Thrasher
mthrashe@emich.edu
734-487-4401