Gifts at Work: Shawn Malburg-Dunn

Gifts that the College of Nursing at Michigan State University receives work in numerous ways toward strengthening the experiences of our students, faculty and entire community. Benefactors are strong supporters of the College, contributing directly to student scholarship and enriching the educational experience.

GIFTS AT WORK: Shawn Malburg-Dunn (CON BSN ‘05)

In the fall as trees begin to turn golden hues of yellow and orange you can hear the rustling of the leaves at MSU. The campus is alive on football Saturday with the energy of thousands of fans and the hope that the Spartans will prevail. Alumni and students line the parking lots to socialize and indulge in a feast before kick-off as the music of the marching band dances through the air. It is a MSU tradition dating back for more than 100 years.

Instead of tailgating with her undergraduate classmates and friends, Shawn Malburg-Dunn collected returnable cans around campus on game days. Through her humanitarian leadership and initiative to make a difference, she was able to establish the Helping Other People Excel (H.O.P.E.) Scholarship in the College of Nursing prior to graduation.

For several years, the H.O.P.E Scholarship provided financial assistance to hard-working students pursuing their nursing degrees.

Finding Passion During Crisis

As a 15 year old, Shawn had an early calling to the profession of nursing when her mother suffered a severe closed head injury from a motor vehicle accident. Barely hanging on to life, the family turned to nurses for guidance as Shawn watched her mother's life spared. The impacts of this crisis lead Shawn to a passionate pursuit of a career in nursing and pathology.

In 2006, Shawn started working at the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office as a forensic pathologist assistant. "We give a voice to the deceased and provide closure to family members,” said Shawn. "It is a great gift that we give to the finality of life and to those that are left behind. For me, this work is stimulating. Every day is different as I work to assist in finding the cause and manner of death while honoring a life.”

Dedicating Success to MSU

While at MSU, Shawn experienced first-hand the dedication of the faculty and staff and credits her growth to the educational foundation and confidence she gleaned while in the College of Nursing.

Because of her love for MSU and the tremendous joy Shawn found in her early years of giving, she happily made a personal financial commitment to the new Nursing Building in honor of the 60 for SIXTY Challenge. "The new building will be a hallmark for campus. I am delighted that I was able to support the future of nursing education and research at MSU,” said Shawn.

Shawn Malburg-Dunn continues to make a difference as her humanitarian spirit of giving helps nursing students for generations to come. The College of Nursing is grateful to Shawn for her innovative initiative, strong leadership, and the professional legacy she builds as an MSU Spartan.