College of Arts & Letters Students Earn First-Place Awards at Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum

Eight students whose primary majors are in the College of Art & Letters received first-place awards for their research and creative scholarship presented at Michigan State University’s 28th annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF). Several other MSU students who received first-place awards were mentored by faculty within the College of Arts & Letters.

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MFA Artist Expands Painting Beyond the Canvas and Understanding of Persian Art

Niloufar Fallahfar’s paintings are not confined to the canvas. As her artistic practice has evolved, her work quite literally has expanded into space through the inclusion of three-dimensional objects that become part of the narrative itself. “I started by putting canvas on top of each other to offer a different perspective and make the audience curious about the different angles of the painting,” she explained.

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From Forestry to Fine Art: MSU Student Blends Science, Technology, and Creativity

Walnut shells clatter against one another as robotic arms spring to life, casting shifting shadows across the gallery floor. People walk through the piece and record the unexpected spectacle. The artist behind the work is Hailey Becker, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Materials Science…

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Why This Emerging Artist Isn’t Worried About AI Replacing Human Creativity

As an emerging artist, Alex Vlasov isn’t afraid of artificial intelligence. While some futurists predict AI could replace human-created art and writing, Vlasov disagrees. “Photography didn’t replace paintings. Ever since the first photographs in 1826, paintings are still created,” Vlasov said. He further explained that human-created art will continue to provide opportunities for people to see connections, find themes, and experience the emotions conveyed through an artist’s work.

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MSU Graphic Design Students, Faculty, and Alumni Celebrate 10 Years of the BFA Program

This spring, faculty, students, and alumni celebrated 10 years of the Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program at Michigan State University. The Graphic Design B.F.A. major and the minor launched in 2016 to meet MSU student interest and align with industry expectations. Before 2016, Graphic Design was a concentration within the Studio Art B.F.A. major. The Day of…

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Citizen Scholars First to Complete Reflective Leadership Certificate

When the College of Arts & Letters’ Citizen Scholars Program at Michigan State University introduced the Undergraduate Certificate in Reflective Leadership in the Arts and Humanities in 2023, the goal was to give students a structured way to translate their study of the arts and humanities into the kind of leadership the world is asking for: thoughtful, ethical, and grounded…

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Kaylin Casper Receives Top Awards for Graduating Seniors at MSU

Kaylin Casper, a graduating seniorwhose advocacy for Indigenous rights and equitable education has shaped her time at MSU, closes her undergraduate career with two of the university's most distinguished student honors, three majors, and two Bachelor of Arts degrees. Casper graduated in Spring 2026 with a B.A. in Sociology through the College of Social Science and a B.A. in Humanities-Prelaw with an additional major in Women's and Gender Studies, both through the College of Arts & Letters.

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Five Students Receive Top Awards for Experience Architecture Program

The Experience Architecture (XA) program at Michigan State University has recognized five students with its top honors for 2026, including the second group of students to receive the Bill Hart-Davidson XA Leadership Award. The 2026 recipients of the Bill Hart-Davidson XA Leadership Award are Alex Guo and Maren O'Connor. The 2026 XA Outstanding Senior Award winners are Zach Anderson, TreShai Hubbard, and Charlotte Miner.

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The Spartan Behind the Blockbusters: Acclaimed Film Producer Returns to MSU to Deliver 2026 Commencement Address

Bill Mechanic — you may not recognize his name, yet few filmmakers can match his level of success. The movies he has helped launch are among the biggest ever made, including Titanic, Independence Day, Braveheart, and X-Men. His blockbuster career can be traced back to Michigan State University — an unlikely starting point.

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