English

A person wearing a Michigan State University sweatshirt stands on a city street in front of a large white truck labeled “The Criterion Closet,” holding up a cup.

Film Studies Student Attends Toronto International Film Festival Program for Third Time

December 9, 2025

Jonathan Urbin is a Film Studies major at Michigan State University who plans to graduate in Spring 2026. He attended the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025 as part of the education abroad program offered by the Film Studies Program at Michigan State University. He wrote about his experience with this program in the following article originally published…

An adult man stands with his hands in his pockets in front of a rustic log cabin with red-trimmed windows and flower boxes. Green foliage hangs above him, and flowers grow at the base of the cabin.

Alumni / English / Featured Alumni / Michigan Impact / News / Research / U.S. Impact

English Alum Part of World’s Longest Running Predator-Prey Research Project

December 3, 2025

In support of the world’s longest running predator-prey research project, Michigan State University alum Jeffrey Holden makes an annual trip to Michigan’s Isle Royale. And it’s no walk in the park. Rugged off-trail trekking, searing heat, black flies, and decomposed moose carcasses are among the hazards borne by dozens of citizen scientists each summer on this remote island in Lake…

A person with long dark hair and bangs smiles at the camera, wearing bright red cat-eye glasses and dark lipstick. Behind them is a dark mantel decorated with flowers, framed art, and a vintage clock.

Alumni / English / News / Religious Studies

From First-Generation Graduate to Rehabilitation Counselor and Advocate for Developmentally Disabled

November 7, 2025

Renee Hall earned dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Religious Studies from Michigan State University in 2010 and a master’s degree, also from MSU, in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2014. She has been an active member of the disability community for more than 20 years, serving in roles including advocate, direct support professional, service coordinator, counselor, and research specialist. She also is a first-generation college graduate.

A person in a green shirt on the left helps a group of four people plant strawberry plants in terracotta pots.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / English / Faculty / Faculty / Grant / Lansing-East Lansing Impact / Michigan Impact / News / Research / U.S. Impact

MSU and Georgia Tech Receive Mellon Funding for Research Project Combining Afrofuturism, Humanities, and Horticulture

November 5, 2025

Michigan State University has joined the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in The Earthseed Project, a humanities-centered research initiative that uses Afrofuturist literature to connect horticulture, climate resilience, and food sustainability knowledge and practices. The Earthseed Project at Michigan State University uses spaces like the Beal Botanical Garden to bring people together to discuss current topics and develop a…

A close-up view of a large mural on a brick wall showing an outlined portrait of an older man wearing glasses, set against a vivid red and yellow background. Green trees and a blue river are painted on the left side.

Alumni / Arts MSU / English / Michigan Impact / News

College of Arts & Letters Alum Helps Bring Vibrant Public Art to Northern Michigan Community

October 21, 2025

The future looks bright for a century-old building in downtown Cadillac — literally — thanks to the work of one Michigan State University College of Arts & Letters alum and a partnership between MSU Extension and the city of Cadillac. In summer 2025, the side of the Cadillac Printing Company building was painted with vibrant hues of red, orange, yellow,…

A man and woman kneel beside a large, black dog in front of a wooden wall. Both are smiling, and the man is wearing a dark shirt with jeans, while the woman wears a long, dark dress with puffed sleeves.

Alumni / English / Event / Michigan Impact / News

English Alum’s Company Among the Stops on the Spartan Bus Tour

October 17, 2025

Michigan State University is set to embark on the Fall 2025 Spartan Bus Tour, a three-day trip celebrating the university’s partnerships and impact across northern Michigan, and one of the scheduled stops on the tour is Mammoth Distilling, a Northern Michigan-based craft distillery in Central Lake that is owned by MSU alumni Chad Munger (B.A. in English) and his wife, Tracy Hickman (B.A. in Interior Design).

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Award / English / Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News

Professor Honored with Tamil American Pioneer Award for Excellence in Arts and Entertainment

October 15, 2025

Swarnavel Eswaran, Professor in the Department of English and the School of Journalism at Michigan State University, is the recipient of the 2025 Tamil American Pioneer (TAP) Award for Excellence in Arts and Entertainment. Presented by the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA), the award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields while advancing Tamil culture and heritage.

A person with long dark hair and blunt bangs wearing bright red cat-eye glasses and red lipstick, seated indoors with plants and candles visible in the background.

Alumni / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / English / Featured Alumni / Lansing-East Lansing Impact / Michigan Impact / News / Religious Studies

MSU Alum Uses Religious Studies Education as an Advocate for the Developmentally Disabled

October 7, 2025

Michigan State University alum Renee Hall has been an active member in the disability community for more than 20 years, serving in various roles including advocate, direct support professional, service coordinator, counselor, and research specialist. She currently works as the Advisor to the Self-Advocates of Michigan through the Developmental Disabilities Council of Michigan.

Two students stand outdoors on the Michigan State University campus, smiling and wearing MSU sweatshirts—one in white and one in green—with trees and campus buildings visible in the background.

English / News / Student / Student

College of Arts & Letters Students Part of MSU’s 2025 Homecoming Court

October 6, 2025

This week, Oct. 6-11, Michigan State University celebrates Homecoming Week, and one of the highlights of this week is the Homecoming Court. This year's MSU Homecoming Court includes two College of Arts & Letters students. They are Kaylin Casper and Kathryn Harding, who are among the 12 MSU seniors that make up the 2025 Homecoming Court. Considered one of the…

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Award / English / Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / News

New Awards Recognize Exceptional Contributions to Mentoring Undergraduate Students

October 1, 2025

The College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University created two new awards this year to acknowledge faculty and staff who make exceptional contributions to mentoring students outside the classroom. These two Outstanding Undergraduate Mentorship Awards are nominated by students, endorsed by their chair or director, and selected by a student committee.