A Spartan Innovator

Katie Frayer has always been an innovator. After being born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), a joint disease, it has come naturally for her to improve the processes of daily life.

"My whole life I've been innovating for myself, so when I hit a problem, I have to come up with my own way to solve it and for me it's been easy because that's just how my brain is wired." The College of Engineering at MSU has provided the perfect place for Katie to exercise her creativity and explore new paths. In her senior year in the mechanical engineering program, Katie has realized her dreams by focusing her studies in biomechanics and computational design. Katie is well on the way to achieving her innovative dreams of designing products that make life for the disabled easier.

"It's in my blood; I was meant to come here," Katie says when describing her passion for the university. As a third-generation Spartan and Mid-Michigan native, Katie hasn't had any problem adjusting to campus life; she is currently the president of the MSU Robotics Club as well as the Council of Students with Disabilities (CSD) and Adaptive Sports Club. The Adaptive Sports Club has given Katie the chance to compete against fellow Spartans with disabilities.

In addition to receiving scholarships from the Honors College and College of Engineering, Katie was awarded the Samaritan Scholar Award from the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) at MSU. The RCPD is responsible for putting students with disabilities on a level playing field by providing a variety of accommodations. In Katie's situation, they have made accommodation for each of her classes and provided her with at-home assistance.

Funded by MSU alumni Jim and Judy DeLapa, the RCPD has been offering the Samaritan Scholar Award to undergraduate students with disabilities who are also in financial need since 2003. "I've had the opportunity to meet so many people with disabilities who can't communicate their innovations to other people because of their situation—I've been very blessed with opportunities and have had so many things go the right way," Katie says.