News - Page 78 - College of Arts & Letters

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Toolbox Dialogue Initiative Creates New Service Center

January 18, 2022

The Toolbox Dialogue Initiative (TDI) Center, a new service center within MSU’s College of Arts & Letters, is a one-of-a-kind organization that provides philosophically based capacity-building services to research and practice groups locally, nationally, and internationally. Established in June 2021 and led by Executive Director Michael O’Rourke and Associate Directors Dr. Edgar Cardenas, Dr. Chet McLeskey, and Dr. Marisa Rinkus,…

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / News / Student

Exploring Cultural Identity Through AAAS Department Courses

January 17, 2022

Deon Bennett came to Michigan State University intent on becoming more independent and open to new opportunities. He achieved that and more through academic and leadership activities that have inspired him to learn more about his culture and leave a legacy for others facing similar challenges as young Black men. Bennett started his scholarly exploration of the Black experience by…

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Award / Faculty / News / Publication / U.S. Impact

Professor Receives Popular Culture Association’s Top Awards

January 14, 2022

For his lifetime of service to the field of popular culture, Gary Hoppenstand, Professor of Film Studies and 20th-Century Literature in MSU’s Department of English, has won the Popular Culture Association’s (PCA) Presidential Award. He also is the 2021-2022 recipient of the Lynn Bartholome Eminent Scholar Award and will deliver the Bartholome Lecture, “The Story of Popular Culture as Story,”…

Alumni / News / Student / Student / Study Abroad

P2W Major Bids Farewell and Reflects on Four Years of Transformational Change

January 13, 2022

Like most incoming first-year students, when I arrived at MSU to move into my Bailey Hall dorm room, I was nervous, homesick, and overwhelmed. I’m not ashamed to admit I shed a few tears at Noodles & Company as I ate lunch with my family before they left to go back home without me. A new chapter was ahead of me, and the blank pages were daunting.

A screenshot of NCTE at MSU Zoom meeting.

Award / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / News / Student / U.S. Impact

NCTE Student Organization Wins Sixth Straight National Excellence Award

January 12, 2022

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) student organization at MSU has earned the NCTE Student Affiliate Excellence Award for the sixth year in a row. This MSU group, which is affiliated with the Department of English and the Department of Teacher Education, is one of two NCTE student organizations from across the country to receive the award this…

Event / News / Programs / Student / Student

Studio Art Student Brings Back Passion for Transformative Art from International Program

December 21, 2021

Alex Vonhof, a Studio Art senior at Michigan State University, was selected for the inaugural international class of the Ars Electronica Festival University in Linz, Austria, where he spent several weeks engaging in the transformative arts program, gaining hands-on experience with trend-forward techniques, and bringing back a better understanding of where arts — and the world’s future — are heading. …

COVID-19 / Exhibition / Grant / News / Production / Student

CREATE! Micro-Grant Supports Film Creation

December 16, 2021

Julia Isoniemi, a sophomore double majoring in Theatre and Film Studies, and Ben Barber, a sophomore Theatre major, received a CREATE! Micro-Grant to produce a short film addressing mental health, loss, grief, and life transitions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film, entitled Acceptance: Our Pandemic Story, covers the story of a student, Lime, who is going to therapy to process…

Faculty / Faculty / News

College Honors Faculty Promoted in 2021

December 15, 2021

The College of Arts & Letters is pleased to recognize the faculty members who recently were promoted to full professor, associate professor, or associate professor-fixed term. These faculty were honored during special ceremonies at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in October and November.

Award / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / News / Student / Student

Doctoral Graduate Raises the Bar for African Language Instruction

December 10, 2021

Although specific to African languages, Magdalyne “Maggie” Oguti Akiding’s approach to second language instruction could be adapted to teach most any foreign language and is raising the bar for African language instruction in the United States with a fast-paced, communicatively oriented method that draws from culture, current events, and history. A native of Kenya, Akiding graduates this month with a…

Excel Network Featured Interns / Internship / News / Publishing, Editing, and Authorship / Student / Study Abroad

Two Experiences, One Company: Interns Complete International Internship with Australian Magazine

December 10, 2021

After developing an admiration for editing from her professional writing courses at MSU, Rachel Gignac completed a virtual internship as a Publishing and Communications Intern with Publishing ByChelle, an Australian-based publication that produces in-flight magazines for Australian airlines. The internship allowed the recent Professional and Public Writing alumna to receive hands-on experience with writing and editing before graduating this past spring.