Hundreds of yard signs emblazoned with "We Heart Kevin G" sprouted across Michigan State University's campus and East Lansing this week, all in support of departing president Kevin Guskiewicz.
The "We Heart Kevin G" campaign quickly spread across campus and social media in the days after.
Pat Gillespie, owner and CEO of the Lansing-based real-estate developer Gillespie Group, decided late Friday afternoon to show gratitude for Guskiewicz after his 27-month tenure. Gillespie Group had 400-plus signs ready for print before the workday finished. By Monday morning, those signs took their place all across campus and the Lansing area.
On the ground, Gillespie Group employees and volunteers planted signs by the Spartan Statue, Cowles House, along Grand River Avenue and other locations across campus. The Rock was also painted in support of Guskiewicz. Overhead, a plane flew over campus with a sign reading the same "We Heart Kevin G" message.
"What really stood out with Kevin was his ability to listen and his ability to communicate," Gillespie said. "He just had a way about him that made you comfortable, and he wanted to listen to what your thoughts were, and he really cared. He was just a real person that wanted to make Michigan State a better place."
Gillespie Group had previously won the contract for the Spartan Gateway District before MSU scrapped the project. Now, the real-estate developer is one of three companies vying for a contract to begin construction for the Spartan Stadium District, a plan for mixed-use hotel, restaurant and student housing development nestled between MSU’s athletic facilities along Shaw Lane.
Gillespie said there is no business motive behind the message for Guskiewicz, despite their potential role in future projects.
"Us putting signs up and painting the Rock, it's just a way of saying thanks and that we appreciate the President," Gillespie said. "There's no other motivation other than that."
The campaign comes two weeks after the announcement that Guskiewicz would leave MSU to assume the role of Clemson University’s 16th president. It is currently unclear when Guskiewicz will start his term at Clemson.
