Cultivating a Culture of Trust

It has been difficult to write for the public in the months since posting the Open Letter to the College of Arts & Letters in the wake of the survivor impact statements that are transforming Michigan State University. Part of the difficulty is what my thoughtful #SpartanDean colleague, Prabu David, emphasized when he wrote that it is challenging to find the right words for our current situation. But also, it has been difficult to convey to a broader public the intense interpersonal work we are doing in the College to create the culture change we need.

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Course Helps to Save Wildlife Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

An experiential, interdisciplinary, and entrepreneurial problem-based class, Michigan State University’s Snares to Wares course explores issues concerning the conservation of wildlife and preservation of human well-being in East Africa. The course is related to the Snares to Wares initiative created by Robert Montgomery, Assistant Professor in MSU’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Director of the RECaP Laboratory, and Tutilo Mudumba, doctoral student in the Department…

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Professor Harrow to Retire After More Than 50 Years at MSU

When Ken Harrow, Distinguished Professor of English, began his career at Michigan State University in September 1966, John Hannah was President of the University, anti-Vietnam War protests were just beginning, and MSU shared the national championship in football with Notre Dame after the “Game of the Century” ended in a 10-10 tie. While much has changed since then, one thing…

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Students Awarded Alumni Endowed Scholarships

Ten College of Arts & Letters students each were awarded a $500 scholarship from the Alumni Endowed Student Book Scholarship and Robert L. Fiore Student Book Scholarship funds as a recognition of their academic achievement and to help ease the financial burden of a college education. The funds may be put towards school materials such as books and art supplies.…

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German Alumna Works with Big Cats in Africa

MSU alumna Kelsey Prediger works with cheetahs in Namibia, Africa, as the Conservation and Tour Manager of the Solitaire Activity Centre for the Solitaire Land Trust. Prediger graduated from Michigan State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and Environmental Biology. We recently caught up with Prediger and…

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Artist-In-Residence Addresses Strategies for Surviving Racism

Artist-In-Residence Shani Peters has wrapped up her month-long collaborative arts practice project, Sustain: A Demonstration/Modeling Survival and Self Care Tactics as Public Service, with her Reflections on the Residency event held on April 2. Originally from Lansing, Michigan, Peters is a multidisciplinary New York City-based artist who received a B.A. in Communication from Michigan State University in 2002 and an M.F.A.…

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Undergraduate Research the Focus of Annual Event

The 20th annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) will take place on Friday, April 13, at the MSU Union from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the first oral presentations beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the poster presentations starting at 9 a.m. With more than 900 students from 14 different colleges expected to participate, this year’s forum is…

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Annual Friends of Theatre Gala to Feature ‘Farm! A Musical Experience’

Join the Friends of Theatre at Michigan State University for the ninth annual Friends of Theatre Gala supporting programs and activities for MSU Theatre students. The Gala is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Wharton Center for the Performing Arts on the Cobb Great Hall stage. Tickets are available in advance for $75 per person ($20 tax-deductible) at theatre.msu.edu. Gala guests…

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Graduate Students Aid in Budget Increase for National Art Agencies

Graduate students in MSU’s Arts & Cultural Management program, along with adjunct faculty member Sarah Triplett, attended the Arts Advocacy Day conference in Washington, D.C., March 12-13. Arts Advocacy Day is organized each year by Americans for the Arts to emphasize the importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating public funding for the arts.  The conference comprised of more than 500 arts advocates from across…

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Students Learn from ‘American History X’ Producer

MSU students interested in film, film production, and the effects of film on culture had the unique opportunity of meeting and discussing these topics with Hollywood actor and film producer John Morrissey. Morrissey visited Michigan State University this week to meet with classes, deliver a lecture, and screen his 1998 feature film, American History X, which follows a former Neo-Nazi who is…

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