CSI East Lansing

Fifty middle and high school students from six states spent a week learning forensic science methods at MSU. They had the chance to apply what they’d learned Friday when a mock crime scene was set up.

• CSI camp teaches forensics to kids

Lil' Sibs

When business and psychology sophomore Meaghen Murray first came to MSU, she was excited for a new beginning. However, she realized she left more behind than she thought.

“Last year I was really excited to come to college for the first time. I was like, ‘Aw yes, I get to get away from my brothers, my family — I can start fresh,’” Murray said. “I just felt like a part of me was missing.”

That missing piece was Murray’s younger brothers, Matthew, 6, and Michael, 14.

“They’re basically the love of my life,” Murray said.

Her brothers came to visit her this past weekend for the MSU University Activities Board’s annual Lil’ Sibs Weekend. Murray, a member of the spirit and traditions committee with UAB, helped run some of the events on campus.

“I just felt like I wasn’t in their lives anymore,” Murray said, adding that her family is her first priority. “We were just brought up to be really close with one another.”

Murray and her brothers are from Commerce Township, about 65 miles southeast of East Lansing.

Weekend events included games at the Union, a wildlife demonstration, photo scavenger hunt and tour of Breslin Center.

It was the Murrays’ first time participating in Lil’ Sibs Weekend.

“It’s just fun family time (because) we just don’t get to see my sister a lot,” Michael said.

Michael and Matthew spent Friday night in Murray’s all girls dorm floor in East Holden Hall with Murray, her roommate, Spanish sophomore Dominique Sanchez and her two siblings, Mari and Miguel, 8.

“I can share my everyday experience with them,” Murray said. “Even though I don’t really go and participate in games every night and take tours of the Breslin Center, just to show them a piece of my life is just really inspiring to them.”

Running for Governor

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero announced candidacy Monday for the Democratic nomination for the 2010 gubernatorial race. Bernero discussed his platform for candidacy Monday evening at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave.

Tom Izzo Press Conference

MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo talks about how difficult it is to play six of eight games on the road, especially without injured point guard Kalin Lucas. Lucas did not play in the Spartans’ loss to Illinois Saturday due to a sprained ankle and is still questionable for the team’s upcoming home game against Purdue Tuesday.

Defensive Woes

MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant talks about her team’s defense in Sunday’s 77-66 loss to Iowa.

Apparel and textile design junior Jessica Lavere, center, paints on her canvas while art education junior Evelyn Streeter mixes colors on her palette. A group of students worked on still life paintings in their Studio Art 320 class Monday afternoon at the Kresge Art Center.

Best & Worst of the Super Bowl Commercials

Kresge HeART

Children, parents and MSU students made Valentine’s Day cards at Kresge Art Center’s You Gotta Have HeART craft day Saturday. The event was part of Kresge’s Creative Kids series, which is designed to promote visual art in the community and encourage people to visit the museum.

Spartans lose to Illinois

The MSU men’s basketball team was defeated by Illinois, 78-73, on Saturday night. The Spartans were led by sophomore forward Draymond Green, who had a team-high 17 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.