Tradition can be defined as “handing over, passing on.”

Tradition is what our school lacks at times. Tom Izzo has recently brought tradition to our school via basketball in the past 15 years with five Big Ten championships, two visits to the national championship (one win), five Final Fours, 12 straight tournament appearances and one of the best graduation rates among players. Football head coach Mark Dantonio is in the process of bringing tradition to MSU, after being dominated across the board by Ohio State, Michigan and recently Penn State. Academics-wise, tradition has been at our school as we are recognized as one of the premier Public Ivy universities. I am proud to say I graduated from the best packaging school in the world. This is recognized by many of my colleagues. By changing the face of MSU, you change the body behind it. The student body, the tradition and everything we stand for.

Our motto is “Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives.” It speaks nothing of advancing our logo and creating a new identity. We bleed Green and White for a reason, and by changing this identity, it will change the lives of past and present Spartans. I know that plans are not complete surrounding the new logo project, but I don’t think it will matter after witnessing the buzz and hype that this is creating.

There is a poll on The State News’ Web site, and out of more than 6,000 votes, 94 percent think this is a mistake. I realize this will probably bring in money from Nike, but do we all have to be followers? Keeping tradition means being a leader; this is what Spartans are.

By changing the face of our school, you are changing our community. Forty-thousand students have spoken. Why should this decision be up to a few money-hungry executives? Please do not do this.

Go Green! Go White!

John Pulcipher,
2009 MSU alumnus