Benefit concert to be held for MSU alumna Stacy Blakeslee

Stacy Blakeslee’s story has spread through the East Lansing community and beyond, and has continued to inspire people outside of her own family to reach out to help.During December 2013, Stacy was diagnosed with a severe staph infection on her heart that later spread throughout her body and caused aneurysms to form in her brain. When one of the aneurysms burst, Stacy suffered from a stroke that sent her into a semi-responsive state.

Zombie survival course promotes summer class

A zombie was spotted at the International Center, Brody Square, Main Library and on Grand River Avenue. The zombie, Zed, was on the hunt for students who were brave enough to take a flyer from his gray and ravaged body.

Week ahead for March 26-29

As the semester winds down, students often find themselves in a repetitive schedule of studying. Here are a few events to break the cycle.

Sigma Pi and Up 'til Dawn MSU host first pancake eating contest for charity

By Casey Hollandcholland@statenews.comTHE STATE NEWSnnFor the first time, Sigma Pi fraternity and the Up 'Til Dawn MSU student organization teamed up to put together an event that allowed people to stuff their faces with as many IHOP pancakes as they could, all for a good cause.The two organizations held their first pancake eating contest at IHOP on Grand River Avenue Monday evening.

'Cries for Freedom' play highlights sex trafficking issues in Michigan

Sex trafficking is not an issue typically associated with Michigan.  However, on Saturday night , students and community members were exposed to the underground world that exists in MSU’s own backyard.

Melodies for Muscles event raises more than $800

The American Medical Students Association of MSU hosted its second annual Healing through the Arts: Melodies for Muscles charity event at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Conference for music educators to last until Saturday afternoon

The years when kids bought CDs are long gone, and music educators are trying to keep up with the times. MSU College of Music is hosting a national music educators’ conference to explore current trends and ideas within the music industry.

Racing to the top

From tinkering with machines to designing the car to making phone calls and sifting through papers, Dan Riggs finds the time to do it all.

'Porgy and Bess' leaves audience with sense of involvement

The Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess,” a broadway play based on the lives of black fishermen living in South Carolina during the 1920s, opened Tuesday night at Wharton Center to a packed crowd.

A constant adventure

James Wanvell has watched people get punched in the face, fall onto the floor of his cab and pass out in his backseat. 

Student strives to be stand-up comedian

On any given day, Chris Ryan can’t go more than a few sentences without cracking a joke. The marketing freshman and budding comedian, who was chosen as the audience favorite at Last Spartan Standing last fall as a first-time stand-up performer, is trying to create a profession of laughter for himself.

MSU alumna to hike 4,100 miles on Appalachian Trail

Starting next month, MSU alumna Lauren Davis will hike 4,100 miles on the Appalachian Trail and Appalachian International Trail, starting in Georgia and ending in Canada.

Fans ready to see 'Divergent' premiere on big screen Thursday night

When criminal justice sophomore Courtney Buchanan began reading the book “Divergent” last summer, she couldn’t put it down. Buchanan is now looking forward to Thursday night, when the characters of her favorite novel will finally come to life.

Aikido Club promotes harmony for more than 40 years

Student begins biking project for veterans in East Lansing

For Logan Stark, riding a bicycle is more than a leisurely activity. It is a way to heal the emotional and physical wounds of war. The professional writing senior is bringing Project HERO to East Lansing.

College of Music hosts annual Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival

Artists from across the globe will perform the cello and other instruments alongside MSU faculty and students on the stage of Fairchild Theatre for five days of seven concerts.

'Serpent Lady' play begins Tuesday night

Romance and reptiles. It’s an unlikely combination that is the main theme of the MSU Department of Theatre’s newest production. Performances of “The Serpent Lady” will begin on Tuesday night in the Auditorium.

Fashion show showcases student talents

Facing the heat of the spotlights and the flashes of cameras, about 80 models strutted down the runway for the fourth annual Apparel and Textile Design Fashion Show on Saturday.

Fraternity raises money for homeless

For many students, St. Patrick’s Day weekend is one of continuous drinking and partying. But for the fraternity brothers of Phi Beta Sigma, this weekend had another purpose.

40th annual Maple Syrup Festival draws nearly 2,000

Maple popcorn, maple cotton candy and, of course, maple syrup.  Local residents celebrated all things maple during the 40th annual Maple Syrup Festival on Saturday afternoon.