First-Ever Endowed Professorship in Art History Established with $1 Million Gift

A $1 million gift from alumna Carol Ann Bennett-Vallès and her husband Jean-Paul Vallès has established the first-ever endowed professor position in art history in the College of Arts & Letters. “We are grateful to Carol Ann and Jean-Paul for a gift that so generously supports the university’s commitment to programmatic growth, enhancement, and success in the arts,” said MSU…

Continue ReadingFirst-Ever Endowed Professorship in Art History Established with $1 Million Gift

New Director of Student Wellness Position Prioritizes Student Mental Health and Care

As students have had to face uncertainty, isolation, and many other daunting experiences, along with corresponding mental health challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new position has been created within the College of Arts & Letters that will focus on student mental health and care.   This newly created position — Director of Student Wellness for the College of Arts & Letters — is at the cutting-edge of student mental health care…

Continue ReadingNew Director of Student Wellness Position Prioritizes Student Mental Health and Care

Theatre Design Alum Returns to Mentor Current Students

G. “Max” Maxin IV (MFA Design ’12) was scheduled to return to Michigan State University as a guest scenic designer for the Department of Theatre’s production of 9 to 5: The Musical that was slated to open in February 2021, but when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered theatres and most of the department’s productions, the Dolly Parton musical based on the…

Continue ReadingTheatre Design Alum Returns to Mentor Current Students

Ruth Nicole Brown Named MSU Foundation Professor

In recognition of her innovative community-engaged scholarship and outstanding record of visionary leadership, research, and pedagogy, Ruth Nicole Brown was awarded an MSU Foundation Professorship, making her the first faculty member from the College of Arts & Letters to receive this honor since it was first introduced in 2014. Dr. Ruth Nicole Brown The title of MSU Foundation Professor is…

Continue ReadingRuth Nicole Brown Named MSU Foundation Professor

CREATE! Micro-Grant Project Addresses Societal Impact of COVID-19 Through Dance

Jake Gerard Price, junior Arts and Humanities major, received a CREATE! Micro-Grant to create a dance film that addresses the societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CREATE! Micro-Grant program selected 12 student projects, including Price’s, to each receive $500 to respond critically and imaginatively to events occurring during the pandemic. The winning projects are now displayed in a virtual…

Continue ReadingCREATE! Micro-Grant Project Addresses Societal Impact of COVID-19 Through Dance

The Promise and Perils of Democracy

We in the College of Arts & Letters have long understood the power of words to strengthen or diminish democracy. Over the past 24 hours, we have witnessed the power of words to incite violent insurrection at the United States Capitol, distort the truth, and undermine a peaceful transition of power. But we have also seen the power of words to organize and mobilize voters in Georgia, to resist cynical strategies of voter suppression, and to persevere in certifying the will of the people.

Continue ReadingThe Promise and Perils of Democracy

Film Studies Student Produces Comma Concerts in Collaboration with Impact 89.9FM

Film Studies major and Fiction Filmmaking minor Isaiah Johns, working in conjunction with Impact 88.9FM, has produced several concerts, called Comma Concerts, featuring local musicians performing in various spaces in the Lansing area that anyone can tune into through the Impact 88.9FM YouTube channel. Inspired in part by NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts, a video series of live concerts at the…

Continue ReadingFilm Studies Student Produces Comma Concerts in Collaboration with Impact 89.9FM