A sign reading "We (heart) Kevin G" is planted next to the Michigan State University sign on Michigan Ave. near the Beal St. university entrance to show support for MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz after announcing his departure from the university in East Lansing, Mich., on June 9, 2026.
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.
Guskiewicz is yet to sign an official employment contract with Clemson after the South Carolina school approved the terms of his employment on May 27. Gillespie said he wants Guskiewicz to leave knowing the people loved him, but noted this initiative is not an attempt to bring back MSU’s 22nd president.
Guskiewicz left MSU after voicing concerns with the Board of Trustees, pointing to divisions on the board as creating an "unsustainable situation" in a campus wide email sent the day of the announcement.
The Gillespie Group began reaching out on Sunday to large community institutions and state business partners to spread the word. Included in that group were the Izzo Legacy Foundation, the Lansing Chamber of Commerce, the MSU Alumni Association, Choose Lansing and other community stakeholders.
On Monday, organizers launched a website, weheartkevin.com, where supporters can download social media graphics and poster designs, as well as leave personal messages for Guskiewicz.
Unnamed users almost exclusively left positive comments for Guskiewicz.
"I’m so sorry our board has failed you," one user wrote. "My family has had 6 presidents in my brother and (my) 8 consecutive years here at MSU. You were really the one who made a huge impact on our school and student body after some rough years (of) leadership."
"President Guskiewicz, thank you for bringing credibility back to our presidency," another wrote. "You made Spartans believe not only can we aim higher, but we should. Michigan State is a better university because of you. You will be missed."
On Monday morning, the Izzo Legacy Foundation, headed by Lupe Izzo, supported the cause by reposting the message and urging others to join the mission.
The foundation did not organize the campaign, said Marcy Gillespie-Kinze, the executive director of the Izzo Legacy Foundation, but once the positive intent was understood, Lupe and Tom Izzo and the foundation supported it.
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"(This is a) challenging time, but it doesn't have to be negative," Gillespie-Kinze said. "Dr. Guskiewicz certainly deserves the support, the positivity and the message of appreciation."
Gillespie-Kinze is not affiliated with the Gillespie Group.
In an email sent to the Izzo Legacy Foundation’s approximately 25,000 subscribers, Tom and Lupe Izzo signed an email asking people to show their gratitude for the president and avoid the negative discourse surrounding Guskiewicz and his departure.
"Today, we feel called to support the We 💚 Kevin G campaign because we believe Michigan State needs strong, thoughtful and capable leadership now more than ever," Tom and Lupe Izzo wrote in the email.
