Thursday, April 3, 2025

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Life | Community

COMMUNITY

Spartina: Yearbook character reflects women's impact on campus

Located on the first floor of the MSU Library is a display highlighting past MSU yearbooks, and the 1945 Wolverine edition features a character called Spartina, Sparty’s girlfriend. Spartina was a reflection of how campus that year was made up of mostly female students while many of the male students were fighting in World War II.

COMMUNITY

The Fledge: How one Lansing community center is helping break the cycle of poverty

Founded by computer scientist Jerry Norris, The Fledge operates as a system designed to support under-resourced individuals by providing essential resources and a launchpad for opportunity. His model — involving the blockchain, punk shows and advocacy — has received attention from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the federal government for helping tens of thousands across the state.

COMMUNITY

Motown leaves lasting impact on music, culture

Motown was a record label based in Detroit that was a powerhouse of hits in the 1960s and 1970s. Motown musicians, all of whom were Black performers, are often regarded as some of the most influential artists, with impacts that are felt in virtually every genre today. MSU and East Lansing community members reflect on the history and impact of Black music on American culture, and on their own musical journeys.

COMMUNITY

MSU Museum's techno exhibit showcases Detroit history, culture

Running from Feb. 4 to April 30, the exhibition "Techno: The Rise of Detroit’s Machine Music" will be showcased at the MSU Museum. The lead exhibition curator and MSU english professor Julian Chambliss worked with community curator and administrative team member at the Underground Resistance (UR) John Collins to create this exhibit.

COMMUNITY

A guide to thrifting near MSU

University students often want to get new things while being on a budget, making secondhand stores the perfect shopping grounds. The Lansing and East Lansing area has a variety of thrift stores for MSU students to explore.

COMMUNITY

Public art provides a sense of place, community

The East Lansing Public Arts Commission and the Public Art on Campus Committee work to ensure that public art installations are a part of construction or development projects in East Lansing and on MSU's campus. These groups aim to incorporate public art in order to provide a sense of community, provoke thought and elicit emotions.