A Pattengill Biotechnical Magnet School student walks into the newly renovated space provided by the Big Ten Build initiative in Lansing, Mich., on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
The Big Ten revealed its $50,000 investment in the Lansing Pattengill Biotechnical Magnet School’s common and study area with a ribbon-cutting ceremony accompanied by MSU student-athletes.
The renovation is part of the Big Ten's B1G Build Initiative, where the conference partners with each school in the conference to invest in a school of their choice.
MSU is the third of six planned stops this year, intending to hit all 18 schools in the conference in the next three years.
Omar Brown, the Big Ten’s senior vice president of community and impact, curated the B1G Build Initiative to give back to a school chosen by each university. The initiative transforms a common area at each school with new furniture, lounging areas and places to study.
“We can take a space that is used by students and teachers, modernize it and really show these students that investing in them is important,” Brown said.
Men's basketball standout Jeremy Fears Jr. served as the student-athlete speaker. Fears cited how much it means to him to be able to give back and show up to an event like this.
"Being able to get that energy, that vibe, it took me back to my middle school and elementary days, remembering some of those memories and things that you’ll never get back," Fears said.
Brown says that this event can launch a new partnership and relationship between Spartan athletics and Pattengill.
“This allows them to kick off a relationship with Pattengill,” Brown said. “You’ll see student-athletes coming back, reading week, mentorship programs, tickets for the students and teachers.”
The Big Ten Conference will continue the B1G Build Initiative and wrap up this year with visits to Minnesota, Washington and UCLA.
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