Attendees gathered in the lobby and main lounge of Campbell Hall prior to the main ceremonies for a tour of the building, which MSU Tours administered. The tour, which lasted 30 minutes, included a look at a dorm on the first floor before attendees made their way downstairs to tour the wellness and personal reflection spaces, an additional lounge space and a music room.

Ray Gasser, assistant vice president of Residence Education and Housing Services, called today’s event a “wonderful celebration and collaboration” that began several years ago with the Honors College.

Gasser’s goals extend beyond the recent renovations to Campbell Hall, and are further manifested by MSU’s plans to bring in a consultant next month to evaluate other buildings in need of upgrades and help the university determine its next steps.

Dr. Glenn Chambers, interim dean of the Honors College, began the ceremony by saying that it was a long day coming.

“One of the greatest strengths of the Honors College is that our students come from every discipline across campus with a range of interests,” Chambers said. “They are fusion scholars making the Honors College a transdisciplinary academic community without borders.”

For Associate Vice President for Residential and Hospitality Services Patricia Martinez, Campbell Hall is “a space that reflects our commitment to accessibility, efficiency, sustainability and safety."

“As we look ahead to future renovation projects, we’re excited to continue partnering with alumni whose Spartan stories can help shape the future of MSU,” Martinez said. "Campbell Hall is more than a building -- it’s a home, a classroom and a thriving community within our residential experience, a legacy of the Spartan Will.”

While thanking donors, faculty and students for their contributions, President Kevin Guskiewicz described Campbell Hall as more than a building, but as a “talent magnet” set in place to attract students from across the country and world to MSU.

“As a resident of Cowles House, I was so excited to see the North Neighborhood come alive and enjoyed seeing the building being renovated. It was wonderful to be over here just about a month ago to see the completion,” Guskiewicz said.

Provost Laura Lee McIntyre described Friday's ceremony as a “wonderful” opportunity for MSU to celebrate accomplishments and emphasize the importance of residential colleges.

“Residential communities play a unique and important role in fostering student success and academic excellence. I’m delighted to hear that 97% of our first-year students are living on campus.”

McIntyre added that the experience of living on campus creates opportunities for students to socialize, create an intellectual community, explore and be curious as they build a sense of community.

Among the key speakers for Friday's event was Dave Porteous, former MSU Board of Trustees chair, whose family made a $1 million donation toward Campbell Hall’s renovations. Porteous, along with other members of the Spartan family, spoke about his mother and father’s impact on MSU, which led to the creation of generations of Spartans.

Economics and Honors College student Sumaiya Imad expressed her gratitude and inspiration to donors, faculty and staff towards the renovation of Campbell Hall during her remarks.

“Your vision has not only given us a new home, but it has strengthened the very foundation of what it means to be an Honors College student here at Michigan State University,” Imad said. “When I first joined the Honors College, I expected to be challenged academically, but what I didn’t expect was how it would completely reshape my time at MSU.”

Shortly after the remarks were finished, attendees gathered outside the front entrance for an official ribbon-cutting, solidifying a new era for Campbell Hall and the Honors College while honoring those who came before and the legacies that continue to thrive.