It was like a big MSU family reunion at Friday's Founders' Day celebrations. Everyone from former presidents to faculty members gathered at Wharton Center to honor MSU's 150th birthday and the inauguration of its 20th president, Lou Anna Simon. "I love seeing all these people," MSU Board of Trustees member Dee Cook said.
Stacia Pierce was in her element as she stepped before a Wednesday night congregation at Life Changers Christian Center in Lansing. A co-pastor at the non-denominational Christian church, Pierce received cheers and hearty "Amens" as she shared her message that has gained national attention and even earned a nod from the White House last month. Pierce was invited to meet with pastors' wives from around the country and to listen to President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Colin Powell during inaugural events in Washington, she said. "One thing we all agreed upon is we need God to change things in our communities," Pierce said.
Gib Hocking wrote impassioned letters to his new wife Judy Hocking when he was overseas fighting in World War II.
Ann Arbor — The rivalry atmosphere was almost apparent, but MSU again spoiled the party at Crisler Arena, winning 64-49 over Michigan on the road. Despite U-M\'s efforts to slow down the game\'s pace — holding the ball to at least 11 seconds left on the shot clock — the Spartans (17-4 overall, 8-2 Big Ten) still seemed to control the tempo getting three dunks on their first four possessions. \"We knew it was going to be a fight coming in and we just had to take it to them,\" sophomore guard Shannon Brown said. Brown led the way early with 14 points shooting 7 of 8 from the field, but senior guard Alan Anderson stole the show in the final four minutes, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds. U-M (12-13, 3-8) led 30-20 at halftime, but with 2:55 left in the second half, U-M cut an 18 point lead to eight with the help of nine points from Wolverine guard Dion Harris. But as U-M tried to trap, the Spartans found Anderson driving to the basket for a dunk, two shots in the paint and a short pass to junior center Paul Davis for another dunk to push the lead to 18 again. Anderson also scored his 1,000th career point 2:24 into the game on a powerful wide-open slam dunk. \"I thought Alan was the MVP today,\" head coach Tom Izzo said.
Madison, Wis. - The MSU women's basketball team won its sixth straight game in a dominating fashion Sunday, beating Wisconsin 84-60. The Spartans had four players score in double digits, paced by junior guard Lindsay Bowen with 18. The Spartans held the Badgers to 33.8 percent shooting and led the game the entire afternoon. For more on this story, please see Monday's edition of The State News.
Ann Arbor - The rivalry atmosphere was almost apparent, but MSU again spoiled the party at Crisler Arena, winning 64-49 over Michigan on the road. Despite U-M's efforts to slow down the game's pace - holding the ball to at least 11 seconds left on the shot clock - the Spartans (17-4 overall, 8-2 Big Ten) still seemed to control the tempo getting three dunks on their first four possessions. "We knew it was going to be a fight coming in and we just had to take it to them," sophomore guard Shannon Brown said. Brown led the way early with 14 points shooting 7 of 8 from the field, but senior guard Alan Anderson stole the show in the final four minutes, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds. U-M (12-13, 3-8) led 30-20 at halftime, but with 2:55 left in the second half, U-M cut an 18 point lead to eight with the help of nine points from Wolverine guard Dion Harris. But as U-M tried to trap, the Spartans found Anderson driving to the basket for a dunk, two shots in the paint and a short pass to junior center Paul Davis for another dunk to push the lead to 18 again. Anderson also scored his 1,000th career point 2:24 into the game on a powerful wide-open slam dunk. "I thought Alan was the MVP today," head coach Tom Izzo said.
The No. 12 MSU wrestling team hits the road for a busy weekend in Indiana, beginning with a dual Friday night at Purdue followed by a Saturday dual with No.
An MSU professor described as a "pioneer" died on Wednesday after injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Gill-Chin Lim was an MSU endowed professor of Urban and Regional Planning and a former dean of International Studies and Programs. Lim died at 2 p.m.
Lansing joined cities across the country in recognizing the release of a U.S. postal stamp honoring the late President Ronald Reagan. About a dozen representatives from the Lansing Post Office and state and national government representatives gathered in the Capitol's glass floor rotunda to unveil the stamp. "There is some symbolic significance to having the unveiling at a state capitol," said Mike Lee, customer relations coordinator for the Lansing Post Office. Before he became the 40th president of the United States, Reagan was governor of California. Normally, people can only be honored with a stamp once 10 years has passed since their death.
MSU President Lou Anna Simon was inaugurated as the university's 20th president Friday during a Founders' Day celebration at Wharton Center. Twenty-eight faculty members were also presented with awards for their achievements during the day's events. As part of the ceremony, Simon was presented with the university mace, a 42-inch-tall wooden staff with the MSU logo and an emblem of Beaumont Tower carved into it, in addition to the presidential medallion. "It's a day to feel proud of Michigan State," Simon said.
The swagger might be back. MSU head coach Tom Izzo had it after Wednesday's 83-69 win over Ohio State, when he declared that for the men's basketball team, it was now "us against the world." As he scanned the statistics sheet, his grin grew larger knowing his team was responding.
Let me end the debates about scheduling in the Big Ten - let every team play each other twice (or at least have an 18-game schedule again). Ever since the conference brought little Penn State into the Big Ten world, the idea of having a 20-game schedule, 18-game schedule or 16-game schedule has been debated. For the first five years that Penn State was in the conference, there was an 18-game schedule.
Love is in the air, and following the tradition of Cupid - in promoting a romantic atmosphere - Sunsets with Shakespeare presents "Shakespeare's Valentine." "Shakespeare is fun and love is fun, so we're trying to capture that playfulness," event coordinator Todd Heywood said. At least 12 local media and political personalities are gathering Saturday at Woldumar Nature Center's RE Olds Anderson Rotary Barn to read selected poems and sonnets. Performers are encouraged to read William Shakespeare's works, but can choose poems written by his contemporaries.
Michigan dismissed the theory that its season is over on Tuesday after giving No. 1 Illinois a competitive battle. As the Wolverines tried to slow down the pace of the game and force the Illini to shoot from 3-point range, Michigan (12-12 overall, 3-7 Big Ten) took a lead into halftime.
For the third time this year, the No. 9 MSU women's basketball team had a player named Big Ten Player of the Week, even if she was sharing it with someone else. Junior forward Liz Shimek was given the honor for her two performances in MSU's wins last week over Northwestern and Illinois, games in which she scored 21 points each, averaged 7.5 rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals. "She brings so much to the floor and is a great leader by example," MSU head coach Joanne P.
It's rivalry week for ESPN and the State News Progsters. Things are getting heated as BC (10-5) maintains his three-game lead over The Boss (7-8) after each went 3-1, with the same picks, last week. The Boss is getting some confidence, as he creeps toward the .500 mark.
MSU isn't the only school in East Lansing - nestled along Grand River Avenue sits the Douglas J Aveda Institute, a finishing school for those who wish to pursue a career in cosmetology. Off to the left, at one of the workstations, is Erin Smith.
The East Lansing Film Society will show the comedy "Martin & Orloff" at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.