Professional Writing Alum Creates Nonprofit to Support Black Students

Inspired by events from this past year surrounding the Black Lives Matter and Black Civil Rights movements, College of Arts & Letters alumnus Darrell Williams founded a nonprofit organization, the Lawson Porter Scholarship Foundation, to help Black students reach their higher education goals while at the same time emphasizing the importance of Afrocentric history. A first-generation four-year college student, Williams…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.

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