Suzy Merchant Receives 2018 ATHENA Leadership Award

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant was honored and presented with the 2018 ATHENA Leadership Award by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon on Thursday at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.

WLNS-TV news anchor Sheri Jones, who herself was a 2006 ATHENA Award recipient, was the host of the luncheon, which began with a welcome from Tim Daman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. Following sponsor remarks by Denise Droscha, Director of Operations for Two Men and a Truck, and a luncheon, Jones gave a history of the ATHENA Award and other recipients. She then presented the ATHENAPowerLink Award to Kellie Johnson of Kellie's Consignments, before the 2019 ATHENAPowerLink recipient, Leslie Auld of Therapy Today, was introduced.

Dr. MaryLee Davis, Secretary of the MSU Board of Trustees, Emerita, and the first recipient of the ATHENA Award back in 1982, introduced Merchant and presented her with the award.

Merchant, now in her 12th season as head coach of MSU women's basketball, gave an very moving and emotional speech, thanking her family, MSU Athletics staff, her coaching staff, and the empowHER Retreat staff. She also spoke about her professional development and progression, and how she strives to help young women and make a positive difference and influence in their lives. Merchant ended her speech by presenting her award to Amy and Tim Bocian, the parents of April Bocian, for whom the empowHER leadership retreat was created as a way to honor her.

The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and who pave paths for other women to follow.

"I'm truly humbled to receive this recognition. When I saw some of the past recipients of the ATHENA Award, they're just such inspirational community leaders and women. I've known many of them and just never felt like I was quite up to their level of community involvement. But today, just validates even more that the impact of the empowHER event that we do really resonates with people and it's making a difference," Merchant said.

Overall, Merchant becomes the 37th recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award.

In all her years in the Greater Lansing area, Merchant has gone to great lengths to become an integral part of the community. In her time off the court and out of the office, Merchant can be seen at many community service events in the Michigan State and greater Lansing area. She was Honorary Chair for the MSU Capital Campaign, "Empower Extraordinary," for faculty and staff and retirees. Merchant has also been an Honorary Chair for numerous Sparrow Hospital Foundation events, including Hike for Hospice, W3 5K/Ok and Dapper Dads Runway Show. In addition to the Sparrow events, Merchant has been the honorary chair for Ele's Place, MSU Children's Health Initiative, Women's Center of Lansing, Haven House, Ronald McDonald House, Advent House Ministries, Old Newsboys' Shoe and Coat Drive, and Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2016, Merchant helped create the empowHER Retreat.

EmpowHER is designed to build confidence in girls in grades 4th through 8th, by providing interactive workshops concentrated on the importance of self-empowerment, confidence, health and wellness and relationship building. Last year's empowHER retreat served over 425 girls from the state of Michigan.

Started in Lansing in 1982 by Martha Mertz, the ATHENA Award is presented annually in over 500 communities internationally, recognizing individuals for professional excellence, for providing valuable service to the community and for actively assisting all women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Award seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence.

Merchant and the 2018-19 Spartans are off to a fast start with a 7-1 mark, having won their last four games following a season-high 102 points in a 102-58 win at Oakland on Wednesday. The Spartans return home to the friendly confines of the Breslin Center to host No. 3 Oregon on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. on ESPN2. Sunday is Toys for Tots Day as well as High School Day.

Related Videos