MSU
Status of civil rights probes into MSU unclear amid Dept. of Ed cuts
The federal agency has monitored MSU relatively closely in the years following the Larry Nassar scandal.
MSU
MSU investigating ex-vice president over records snooping
A whistleblower complaint alleges the top HR administrator sought to covertly compile “derogatory information” stored in the personnel files of high-ranking employees at the behest of a trustee.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
'Life of Pi' transforms the Wharton Center stage
The newest show at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts is 'Life of Pi,' which opened on Tuesday, March 11 and will be running until Sunday, March 16. The cast of the show gathered in the Wharton Center on March 12 to answer questions from fans and community members.
MSU
Top HR administrator out at MSU
The departure represents further shake up in MSU's administration, which has undergone some restructuring since President Kevin Guskiewicz took the helm last March.
COMMENTARY
COLUMN: The impact of MSU athletics hiring Jon Dykema from the Detroit Lions
Amidst a new age of college athletics with money being the name of the game, MSU made a strategic move by creating a new position in its athletic department by hiring former Detroit Lions executive Jon Dykema, who will serve as MSU's Executive Senior Associate AD/Student-Athlete Management and Assistant General Counsel.
MSU
Mass firings threaten federal employment opportunities for MSU grads, students
Mass layoffs at federal agencies have jeopardized internship and employment opportunities for MSU students. For one recent graduate, the layoffs meant losing her dream job.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Wharton Center announces 2025-2026 Broadway series
Michigan State University’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts has officially announced its selections for the upcoming 2025-2026 Broadway series. The list of shows includes six Broadway shows that will be making their Wharton Center debut, as well as two special events.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Feed the Break provides meal for students, raises awareness for food insecurity
On Friday, Feb. 28, MSU’s University Activities Board (UAB) hosted the Feed the Break event at the Multicultural Center. In collaboration with MSU’s Spartan Food Security Council (SFSC). Feed the Break was established to provide a meal for students before spring break and to raise awareness about food insecurity.
MSU
MSU's status reaffirmed after accreditation scare
MSU's accreditors reaffirmed the university’s accreditation for another ten years, nearly a year and a half after saying a trustee's alleged misconduct raised "potential concerns."
MSU
MSU Extension votes to unionize
The group, which partners with counties throughout Michigan to provide educational services, is the first independently organized extension network in the country, organizers say.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Joel Christian Gill gives presentation on the power of storytelling
On Thursday, Feb. 27, cartoonist and historian Joel Christian Gill led a presentation at Michigan State University where he explored the importance of sharing stories. From the moment that his parents met right up to his current project, Gill used humor, creativity and comic art to tell his own story.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine honors Black legacies at annual lecture series
Dr. Russell J. Ledet spoke about the history of slavery, his family and his ancestors’ resistance that led him to where he is today.
COMMUNITY
MSU professor uses comics, digital humanities to explore Afrofuturist stories
Chambliss said he's "often trying to recover stories about Black spaces" and people who have been "hidden in the record."
MICHIGAN
Whitmer delivers annual State of the State Address, focuses on higher education
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her annual State of the State Address on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Michigan State Capitol. Whitmer’s speech worked to appeal to both parties, advocating for bipartisan solutions to Michigan issues, with a heavy focus on the higher education of residents.
COMMUNITY
MSU’s African Studies Center celebrates its 65th anniversary
This year marks the 65th anniversary of MSU’s African Studies Center. Located in room 100 in the International Center, the African Studies Center is home to many events and programs that can help students learn more about Africa in a global context.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
JMC roundtable discussion highlights African American musical activism
James Madison roundtable discussion African American Art and Activism was held on Feb. 25. It was hosted by JMC professor Rashida Harrison and JMC academic and DEI specialist Jahshua Smith, with guests Jasmine Hamilton-Wray and Ozay Moore. They discussed the community, advocacy and legacy of hip hop, particularly in Black culture and activism.
MSU
MSU researchers study possible benefits of new AI tutoring software
By looking at how students in the program engage with Khanmigo, researchers hope to understand what factors make the AI most effective in learning.
MSU
MSU professors, international food security programs in limbo amid USAID freeze
Like many whose work has been impacted by vast changes at the federal level since President Donald Trump took office, the researchers are now playing the waiting game to see what their programs may look like — or if they will even exist — after the freeze expires at the end of March.
MSU
Hate crimes at MSU go uninvestigated
In nearly every instance reviewed by The State News, campus cops closed hate crime cases in what they describe as “the interest of being victim-centered.”
STUDENTS
Tri-Alpha creates opportunities for first-generation students
There are resources at MSU for first-generation students, but there were no student-based organizations meant for all first-gen students until biomedical laboratory diagnostics senior Momin Hassan opened a chapter of Tri-Alpha this semester. Tri-Alpha is a national first-generation student honor society and it provides networking and leadership opportunities for these students and recognizes their academic achievement.