A moment of generosity on Give Green Day became an anchor for Addyson Richard, a transfer student and Film Studies major in the College of Arts & Letters. It was the middle of the Spring 2025 Semester, and Addyson was busy with classes and paying for her education, but she felt that giving a little would help make a big difference. 

So, on March 11 during MSU’s Give Green Day, she donated $5 each to the MSU Libraries Comic Art Expendable Fund and the MSU Film and Video Preservation Fund. The gifts were matched and resulted in a $10 donation going to each fund.  

Her gifts, however, made a significant impact long beyond that one day of giving. Just 11 days later, her best friend — a fellow transfer student and the first person she met at MSU — passed away unexpectedly.  

In those dark days of grief, Addyson was anchored by her gifts on Give Green Day. “I believe that my donation had taken on a stronger meaning,” she said.

What started as a simple act of kindness became a source of comfort; a bright positive moment that she could hang on to. Giving was something good that she hoped to do more of, in honor of her friend. 

Addyson often reflects on her memories of her fellow Spartan, who she describes as a triumph of a person. “The night I met her, we played pinball and ended up beating the old Konami Simpsons game,” she said.  

It was the beginning of a great friendship and for the next six months they went to concerts together, zipped around campus on a scooter, and worked on a short film. Much talking and laughter was involved. “She was so kind to me,” Addyson said.

Now, Addyson is grateful for moments of generosity; for her film professors, who supported her through tough times; and for the MSU faculty and staff working with the comics collection and film preservation. “What they’re doing is integral,” she said. “I congratulate that.” 

Addyson gave with her heart to the areas she was most passionate about. “It is ultimately one of the most rewarding experiences because there’s a human connection towards where you put your money,” she said.

By giving to MSU Libraries’ world-renowned comic art collection and University Archives and Historical Collections film and video preservation efforts, Addyson did her part to ensure vital mediums of storytelling would be available for future students. 

“It is ultimately one of the most rewarding experiences because there’s a human connection towards where you put your money.”

Addyson Richard

“Preserving film that’s on a 35mm, an 8mm, or someone’s home movie, that’s worth it to understand human potential and what we’ve done with this medium,” she said.

For Addyson, film is about bringing perspective to life. And she has her own perspective to contribute.  

“As someone who is autistic, I have a very distinct eye to art,” she said. “I always saw the world with somewhat of a cinematic eye, like a third person sort of view.”

It was that cinematic eye that brought her to MSU, and her talent for the visual arts grew on campus. The connection between film and comics also means a lot to her.

“I’ve always thought of comics and film as blood brothers in terms of sequential storytelling,” she said. And now, her moment of generosity has given her hope for the storytellers of the future. 

Addyson plans to do some storytelling of her own; writing and directing films, earning a master’s in film, and possibly working as a professor. 

And no matter what, the memory of Addyson’s friend lives on in her mission to tell great stories and to make a difference anchored in moments of generosity. 

LEARN MORE about the impact of gifts to MSU’s Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign at farbetterworld.msu.edu. 

By Amelia Shugar and originally published by Spartan Magazine