Shortly after landing, Walz entered his motorcade and traveled to The Graduate hotel in downtown East Lansing, across the street from Michigan State University. There, Walz and Hertel addressed an at-capacity crowd of supporters.

In his remarks, Walz stressed the importance of protecting reproductive rights and getting people on college campuses to vote. He also brought up Vice President Kamala Harris' recent debate performance, framing her success in opposition to those who doubted her ability to perform against Donald Trump.

Hertel, who is running in Michigan's 7th District, touched on the need for an end to gun violence. Hertel illustrated this point by mentioning his son, who is a student at MSU, and his experience with the Feb. 13, 2022 mass shooting on campus.

James Madison College freshman Anabelle Sanchez, who was in attendance for Walz’s speech, said the event was "an incredible moment to witness."

"As a Latina and a person of color, I felt very seen and represented in that room," Sanchez said. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, having the ability to take a selfie with him and shake his hand was such an incredible, unforgettable experience."

Urban and regional planning freshman Luke Riegel echoed that sentiment, saying Walz’s appearance demonstrated how genuine and caring he is in contrast to Trump or his running mate, J.D. Vance. Riegel added that while other politicians are interested in accumulating political capital, Harris and Walz are burning it to help others.

"People say to never meet your heroes, but that was worth it," Riegel said. "He was the real deal."