Thousands of Paths How Spartans, like Iwan Syahril, Ph.D., find their passion and thrive - Michigan State ...
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WINTER 2021 Thousands A FORCE FOR EDUCATION of Paths INVENTING NEW TOMORROWS How Spartans, like Iwan Syahril, Ph.D., SPARTAN find their passion and thrive PROFILES
Spartans Helping Spartans HelpingSpartans Spartans For overFor81over years, we have 81 years, been we have ananintegral been partofofthe integral part the MSU MSU community. community. During this time, our partnership has grown to include During this time, our partnership has grown to include the Dean’sthe Dean’s Choice Choice Grant, virtual financial education sessions, and the MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Grant, virtual financial education sessions, and the MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residency Endowment. Residency Endowment. We also support the Broad Artist Studio Series, the MSU Museum, the We alsoWharton support the Broad Broadway Artist Series, and Studio Series, many other the MSU educational andMuseum, culturally–the Whartonenriching Broadway programs thatand Series, provide manyMSU faculty, other staff, and students educational with and culturally– exciting opportunities for growth. enriching programs that provide MSU faculty, staff, and students with excitingWith opportunities an account at for growth. MSUFCU, you help continue the legacy of Spartans helping Spartans. Because of our members, MSUFCU is able to provide With anphilanthropic account atsupport MSUFCU, to MSU youthat advances help on-campus continue of Spartans and community the legacy programs, making a positive impact on the MSU community . helping Spartans. Because of our members, MSUFCU is able to provide philanthropic support to MSU that advances on-campus and community programs, making a positive impact on the MSU community. msufcu.org • 517-333-2424 msufcu.org • 517-333-2424
WINTER 2021 40 Thousands of Paths How Spartans leverage their MSU education, find their passion and thrive 22 Spartan Profiles Read about some wonderful Spartans who exemplify the Spartan Spirit...like the Spartan who came to MSU to become a veterinarian, 30 Inventing New Tomorrows became the first Black American to enroll in the Duke School of Human Medicine and was the 100-yard U.S. sprint champion in the early seventies. And that’s only DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THE COVER: Iwan Syahril aims to transform one of the largest the beginning of his story! education systems in the world: 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT MSU / GETTY IMAGES / COURTESY DUKE UNIVERSITY Photo by Muhammad Fadli, Jakarta 5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 9 BENEATH THE PINES Read, share Spartan online: go.msu.edu/Spartan-mag The Marvelous 22 SPARTAN STORIES Spartan is distributed three times Dr. Del Meriwether a year to alumni, donors and 30 FEATURES friends who make annual gifts to MSU of $100 or more. To make a 51 GREEN & WHITE gift, visit givingto.msu.edu. 53 CLASS NOTES Email address changes to: UADV. 55 IN MEMORIAM Records@msu.edu. Or mail: UADV Records, 535 Chestnut Rd., 64 FROM THESE SCENES #300, East Lansing, MI 48824 SPARTAN MAGAZINE 1
FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Spartans... T he calendar has turned focus on innovation, as you’ll read and spring semester is about in the pages ahead. From the underway, again with beginning, Michigan State was an classes held mostly educational experiment that quickly “ online and only a became a model for the nation’s portion of the students who would land-grant colleges, opening access to As we enter the normally be on campus currently opportunities to everyday people in a living here. period of rapid growth and change. third decade of It was a challenging 2020, and Today, we’re proud of the research, the 21st century, I can’t give enough credit to the development and creative endeavors students, faculty and staff whose being pursued across the university we are challenged resilience has allowed the university and how we’re working to transfer and to perform at the to maintain forward momentum translate the fruits of that work into accelerated speed through the year. Likewise, our outcomes for our many stakeholders. devoted alumni have continued to Our entrepreneurship education of society’s most show support for MSU with financial program is ranked among the top urgent needs and gifts, as advisers and mentors and 15 in the nation by the Princeton most hopeful in many other ways as the year unfolded. Review, and our fast-growing minor in entrepreneurship and innovation expectations. Our broad and diverse MSU spans the university with more than community has put its collective 700 students enrolled. shoulder behind high-priority As we enter the third decade of the initiatives, including our strategic 21st century, we are challenged to planning process; a thorough perform at the accelerated speed of diversity, equity and inclusion society’s most urgent needs and most assessment; our relationship hopeful expectations. Our awareness violence and sexual misconduct and engagement, imagination and prevention and response planning; innovation, and knowledge and a multicultural center feasibility discovery all matter more than ever study; and searches to fill key —and all are part of what makes leadership posts. All these and us Spartans. Go Green! more have moved steadily ahead and position MSU for continued achievement for years to come in our GENNARA PHOTOGRAPHY scholarship, research, instruction, Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. outreach and service. PRESIDENT, MSU Something else that has continued without pause is our SPARTAN MAGAZINE 3
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LETTERS GAME CHANGERS FALL 2020 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Michigan State University I do a lot of my best thinking just VOL. 4 ISSUE 1 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE FALL 2020 by writing, and I’ve thought deeply about the pandemic and how it is EXECUTIVE EDITOR impacting Spartans—our alum- Stephanie Motschenbacher, ’85, ’92 SPARTAN MAGAZINE ni, students, faculty and staff. A COPY EDITOR key question being asked by many Linda Dunn, ’13 leaders here at MSU and at other Beal’s CLASS NOTES AND BENEATH Appeal organizations is how the pandem- THE PINES EDITOR How a record-breaking, 160-year-long experimentic can serve as a driver of change. keeps inspiring the curious Alex Gillespie, ’17 and scientific When we decide to come together to ASSISTANT EDITOR solve problems, we find that we are Liam Boylan-Pett 9/25/2020 5:10:20 PM Fall 2020 Spartan magazine content is available online at: go.msu.edu/fall-2020 more creative and find new ways to ART DIRECTOR & DESIGNER reframe and create a new normal. We find that we are not alone; Iain Bogle we are in this together. Our founders had this in mind when they established what is now Michigan State University. WRITERS Devon Barrett, ’11 After all, stepping up to challenges and positioning education as Lois Furry, ’89 an asset for great change in the world is built right into the Spar- Daniel Smith tan DNA—our Spartan Will that often drives us to tackle society’s Russ White, ’82, ’01 unmet needs. The winter 2021 issue looks at our mission as well as CONTRIBUTING WRITERS the Spartan drive to find solutions and the courage to follow one’s Kristin Baer Courtney Chapin, ’98 passion. Matt Davenport I hope you enjoy reading about the greatest contributions of our Emilie Lorditch faculty innovators and the inspiring Spartan alumni who follow Sue Nichols, ’84 their hearts, and at times an unconventional path, to make a differ- Richard Seguin, ’90, ’99 Samantha Tricarico ence in the world. COPYRIGHT 2021 University Advancement Stephanie Motschenbacher, ’85, ’92 MSU Alumni Office EXECUTIVE EDITOR, SPARTAN MAGAZINE Spartan Way 535 Chestnut Rd., Room 300 East Lansing, MI 48824 517-355-8314 INTERESTING & INSPIRING of MSU’s high rankings nationally and alumni.msu.edu I had to write and tell you how much in the world. MSU is an affirmative-action, I enjoyed the fall issue. I read every But my favorite thing was from the equal-opportunity employer. word. I have never felt so proud to be article about the vet in Alaska who an MSU graduate and academic spe- named her Montessori-styled dog cialist. The alumni and faculty profiles school Muttessori. TO SUBMIT LETTERS Email SpartanMag- azine@msu.edu. Or send mail to: Editor, were so interesting and inspiring. And Well done!! 535 Chestnut Rd., #300, East Lansing, MI. I loved the side notes on little known Frana Potter, ’64,’79 48824. We reserve the right to select and edit letters for length and clarity. facts. And I never realized the extent BATH, MI SPARTAN MAGAZINE 5
LETTERS LOVE THE FALL ISSUE After months of protests and I wish to commend you, and your staff, stories of innocent African Ameri- on the fall M.S.U. Alumni Magazine. It cans being lynched, it’s harder to not is the finest issue in the 55 years that I lie awake at night, afraid that you have been receiving it....in my humble might lose a friend because of rac- opinion. ism. Safe at home we watched the Keep up the great work. I look news reports about what happened forward to meeting up with fellow to George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Spartans when our world gets back to Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, Elijah normal. McClain and Philando Castile. Go Green! Imagine what you might feel if that To watch the Go Green, Go Live! Donald Payne, ’63, ’65 happened to your best friend, your Program featuring Phil Hart, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI favorite teacher, your family. visit us on Facebook at: If the last few months have made GO.MSU.EDU/HART RECOGNIZING SPARTAN TEACHERS anything obvious, it’s that people I am a proud Alumni of MSU and a who are Caucasian can no longer Spartan for life. be silent. A great place to start is by CONNECTED TO BEAL In August of 2020, I returned to the confronting your own racial biases Thanks for the article by Dan Smith classroom and ventured into my 17th and finding ways to overcome them. on William Beal. My grandfather, year in education as a state ranked Taylor Casey, ’22 Huber Shull, graduated M.A.C in level five teacher who will be on the College of Osteopathic Medicine student 1906, with a B.S. in agriculture. I’m frontlines educating in-person and EAST LANSING, MI sure he must have had a class or two virtually during a global pandemic. with Professor Beal. Whenever I I would like to make a small request BENDING TOWARD JUSTICE return to East Lansing, I visit the of the MSU Alumni (Office); please On July 9, I was a guest on MSU botanical gardens, and try to imagine consider focusing on educators and Facebook Live program, Go Green, what the campus was like when my public servants in your next MSU Go Live. The subject was a conver- grandfather was there. Alumni magazine issue. sation with MSU Today producer, Roger Shull, ’62 We are the real leaders. Russ White, about being ‘Black in VOLENTE, TX I would like to stand with my MSU America.’ On July 16 this interview peers and honor those who keep ran on WKAR-FM, the MSU 50,000 BEAL FAMILY serving the community despite our watt radio station. WKAR is where Many thanks for the articles about current historical challenges. Tanya, my wife and fellow Spartan, William James (WJ) Beal. My hus- We are Spartans. We are Spartan started her broadcast career when band, Allen Beal, also a MSU alum strong. we were both students. On July (1963), is a distant cousin of WJ, Thank you! 22 I submitted an essay titled ‘An whose father was the brother of Al- Kelly Susanne Geer, ’91 American Reckoning on Race’ to be len’s 2nd great-grandfather. WJ Beal MEMPHIS, TN published in the University of Col- also loved researching family history orado ‘Coloradan’ magazine. This and, as a genealogist, I’m indebted to CONFRONTING RACIAL BIASES essay and my audio recording of this him for some wonderful Beal family As a current medical student, I felt essay were published in November stories. Many members of our Beal compelled to write an open letter to 2020. From ‘Black in America’ to family are MSU grads and proud to the Spartan community regarding ‘An American Reckoning on Race’ be linked by heritage to WJ Beal and racial inequality and police brutality. the long arc of history is bending the beautiful Beal Botanical Garden. First, I see MSU as one of the most toward justice. Thanks again! Go green! culturally and racially diverse areas in Michigan—it is one of the reasons why Philip S. Hart, Ph.D., ’70, ’74 Julie Beal, ’63 I choose to study at Michigan State. LOS ANGELES, CA ARIVACA, ARIZONA 6 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
TOGETHER WE WILL IT'S NEVER TOO LATE FOR YOUR OFFICIAL MICHIGAN STATE CLASS RING! The official Spartan Ring represents all that Spartans hold dear. The official ring collection captures the spirit of pride and promise that has built the Michigan State tradition of excellence since 1855. Your official ring will keep you forever connected to the time and dedication spent earning your degree. SAVE $50 on your qualifying College Ring purchase now through 2/28/2021.* WITH CODE: MICHIGANSTATE50 Shop now at jostens.com/michiganstate or call 616.322.7312 *Save $50 when you design and purchase a qualifying college class ring or jewelry item, through February 28, 2021 by using promo code MICHIGANSTATE50 at checkout on Jostens.com. Promotion applies to college jewelry catalog offering only and excludes any other products. Product collections vary by school and offer not eligible at all schools. Offer excludes: keepsake jewelry boxes, nursing pins, watches, military academy rings, and high school jewelry. Limit one promo code per order. Promotion cannot be combined with any other offer or discounts. Discount will not be applied to taxes, applicable shipping/ handling and other fees. Offer subject to adjustment due to returns, cancellations and exchanges. Not valid on prior purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Valid only for online orders placed on Jostens.com and shipped to U.S. addresses. Expires 2/28/2021 at 11:59pm CT. Offer may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. ©2020 Jostens, Inc. 2040810
“I chose to attend MsU becaUse It was soMethIng coMpletely new for Me.” – Valerie lerma, ’23 KATRINA MASHACK, ’09, STEPPED UP ON GIVE GREEN DAY TO HELP STUDENTS LIKE VALERIE LERMA, ’23, ATTEND MSU. A VERY GREEN CARE PACKAGE FROM HOME K atrina Mashack, ’09, a marketing professional and officer of the Phoenix, Arizona, Spartan alumni club, was one of the more than 4,000 Spartans who made a #GiveGreenDay gift to support MSU students last year. THREE WAYS TO MAKE A GIFT PHONE: (800) 232-4MSU Her gift supported the AZ Spartans Scholarship fund, which was established to encourage more local students to explore MSU’s educational opportunities. ONLINE: go.msu.edu/winter-21 MAIL: University Advancement Sophomore Valerie Lerma can attest that receiving the scholarship did exactly that. Spartan Way The Glendale, Arizona, native says she chose Michigan State to get out of her comfort 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300 zone and she was thrilled to find out Arizona Spartans had her back. East Lansing, MI 48824 “I love the beautiful campus, and I have met so many people from so many different backgrounds, who have taught me more than I could ever imagine.” Mark you calendars and make sure you visit givingday.msu.edu on March 16, 2021. GIVINGDAY.MSU.EDU | TAKING PLACE MARCH 16, 2021.
Beneath Pines the News & Views from MSU Getting Organized The original pipe organ in the MSU Alumni Chapel is being replaced with a beautiful, world- class and versatile instrument. Warping over time had rendered it silent. Private gifts are fund- ing the new organ built by Letourneau Pipe Organs, the College of Music and Residential and Hospitality Services. With the new organ installed, MSU continues to raise funds to support the restoration project. Learn more: go.msu.edu/chapel MSU SPARTAN MAGAZINE 9
BTP COVID-19 News “ MSU PILOTS NEW The labora- APP IN FIGHT tory has proven AGAINST COVID invaluable MSU has a new to the state tool in the of Michigan fight against when we have the spread of COVID-19. The faced threats to MI COVID Alert animal health. app can notify Now, we can users if they provide sup- have recently port as we face been in close contact with perhaps the someone who has tested positive greatest human for the virus. health threat of The app is the result of a our lifetimes. partnership between MSU, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Ing- ham County Health Department. Vet Lab Processing Up to The app is free to download on Android and IOS devices. 1,000 COVID-19 Tests Daily Thanks to high adoption With the capacity to “The laboratory has during the pilot at MSU, MDHHS analyze 1,000 human proven invaluable to the recently expanded the program tests daily, the MSU state of Michigan when we to the entire state. Veterinary Diagnostic have faced threats to animal MI COVID Alert uses Bluetooth Laboratory is an import- health. Now, we can provide technology to detect nearby ant component in MSU’s support as we face perhaps phones that are also running COVID-19 Early Detec- the greatest human health the app. When a person tests 97,000 tion Program. threat of our lifetimes,” said positive for COVID-19 in the Uniquely positioned VDL’s Interim Director state of Michigan, they receive to step in and support James Averill. “We’re here a pin number from the health MSU / GETTY IMAGES / STATE OF MICHIGAN Number of COVID-19 testing and we’re ready.” department that allows them face coverings requirements, the VDL VDL is currently process- to send an anonymous push distributed to established new proce- ing COVID-19 tests collect- notification to alert others who dures with the help of ed at campus buildings with they have had contact with and the MSU leaders at Olin Student results available to MSU are using the app. community since March Health Center and MSU’s Health Care in 24 hours. MORE ON Learn more: Biomedical Laboratory WEB go.msu.edu/mi-app 2020. MORE ON Learn more: Diagnostics program. WEB go.msu.edu/vet-lab 10 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
BTP COVID-19 News Improving Risk FACULTY VOICE Assessment of “Food insecurities can emerge at different points along the supply chain and we have to Infectious Diseases be ready to respond at each stage. With COVID-19, the issue wasn’t the absence of food in the supply chain; it was a baffling simultaneous MSU’s Department of The new project, funded combination: the disconnect Biosystems and Agricultural by the National Institutes of between supply and demand Engineering (BAE) is leading a Health, will focus on mentoring, led to a lot of food waste at project to increase knowledge developing online coursework certain points, and massive food insecurities in others. and availability of quantita- and cyberinfrastructure, and Let’s set an example for the tive microbial risk assessment training faculty who have been upcoming generation of supply (QMRA) models among profes- keenly interested in QMRA. chain professionals about the sionals in biomedical science, Since the COVID-19 out- expanded value we offer — microbiology, public health and break, Mitchell has seen a making social welfare a focal point in their education, work engineering backgrounds. growing and immediate need and lives.” In comparison with other for people to assess risk in many - Yemisi Bolumole approaches like epidemiology, different environments. Associate Professor QMRA models show where Supply Chain Management, pathogens are and how to avoid Broad College of Business contact with them. They also help us determine what con- MORE ON Learn more: trols, like engineering technol- ogy or policy changes, can be WEB go.msu.edu/food-supply implemented so people don’t get sick,” said project co-director Jade Mitchell. Jade Mitchell, Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agri- cultural Engineering 71,580 Number of MSU donors in 2020 MSU SPARTAN MAGAZINE 11
BTP News Terms Begin for New Members COLLABORATION BRINGS NEW PERRIGO to MSU Board of Trustees NORTH AMERICAN CORPORATE HEAD- QUARTERS TO On January 13, the Board of Trustees welcomed two new members to its GRAND RAPIDS team. Rema Vassar and Pat O’Keefe joined after winning races in the Global self-care provider, Perrigo November 2020 election. Each will serve an eight-year term. Company plc, will establish its new North American Corporate Head- Rema Vassar is a former K-12 public school quarters in an office that will be teacher, counselor, administrator and parent constructed within Michigan State organizer with over two decades of experience. University’s Grand Rapids Innovation Park. With a focus on developing transformative The 63,550 square-foot office servant leaders, Vassar has been an assistant space will primarily house corporate professor of Leadership and Counseling at and functional leadership and certain Eastern Michigan University since 2016. She administrative roles, and will feature offers a renewed perspective on making the adaptable workspace to promote university more accessible and is committed to collaboration opportunities. accountability and affordability. Her husband “We are excited that Perrigo will is an alumnus and her daughter is currently a be a major tenant in the MSU Grand sophomore at MSU. Rapids Innovation Park,” said Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, MHS, Michigan 4Parent of Current MSU Student State University executive vice presi- 4Bachelor’s, Western Michigan University dent for health sciences. REMA VASSAR 4Doctorate, University of California, Los Angeles West Michigan’s life science and medical device industries are growing at a considerable rate of 18.5%, out- Pat O’Keefe is an MSU alumnus and founder pacing the national average by more and CEO of O’Keefe, a strategic and financial than double its growth rate of 9%. consulting firm. For over 30 years, O’Keefe “The focus of the innovation park is to bring industry together with has been active as a financial consultant and academic research and clinical care turnaround adviser to under-performing along the Medical Mile in order to businesses in various industries including transform health care together,” retail, hospitality, restaurants, construction, said Beauchamp. “We are looking automotive, manufacturing and real estate. He forward to significant opportunities to collaborate with Perrigo on efforts is committed to better oversight and making to improve access to and affordability MSU a safer campus. In addition, his priorities of health care.” include college affordability and freedom of In addition to a capital investment speech on campus. O’Keefe has volunteered of $44.7 million over the 15-year for advisory boards in higher education with period of the lease, the expansion Oakland University, University of Detroit will bring more than 170 new jobs to the area. SUPPLIED PHOTOS Mercy and Cleary University. PAT O’KEEFE 4Bachelor’s, MSU Broad College of Business, ’76 4MBA, Wayne State University 12 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
BTP News The Next Leader of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion VISIT CAMPUS VIRTUALLY Get your dose of campus trivia with a new virtual cam- is Named pus tour. While the Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., experience is geared toward potential joined MSU as vice Spartans, alumni will enjoy it just as much, president and chief with refreshing videos diversity officer on and facts accompa- nying highlights like December 1, 2020. Beaumont Tower, the Spartan Statue and more! virtualtour.msu.edu Following a national search, MSU Pres- “This is an incredible opportunity to help ident Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., named advance inclusion efforts at MSU during this Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., as the university’s critical time in the history of the institution vice president and chief diversity officer. and our nation,” Bennett said. “There is a rich Bennett most recently served as North- legacy here founded in the ideal that higher western University’s inaugural associate education should be accessible to everyone provost for diversity and inclusion and regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender chief diversity officer. identity or expression, religion and other As vice president and chief diversity identities. I look forward to working with this officer, Bennett reports directly to Stanley. community to address unique challenges, find He’ll collaborate with other university common understandings and leverage collec- MSU / JABBAR R. BENNETT senior executives, deans, faculty, staff, tive efforts to nurture a culture of inclusive students and alumni to develop and imple- excellence at the university.” ment a comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion plan. MORE ON Listen to the podcast: WEB go.msu.edu/bennett SPARTAN MAGAZINE 13
BTP Campus NEW DOORS HONOR HISTORY S ince its opening in 1940, MSU’s Auditorium doors have welcomed such dignitaries as Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr., and some of music’s greats—Bob Dylan, James Brown, Bruce Springsteen, Miles Davis, The Beastie Boys, Prince and more recently Panic at the Disco, Drake and John Legend. And along with them, hundreds of thousands of audience members and visitors. Steve Rondeau, IPF car- After 80 years of wear, tear and unforgiving weather taking their toll on the grand penter II, was assigned entryways to the MSU Auditorium and Fairchild Theater, replacement became the task of recreating necessary. Thanks to talented craftspeople like Steven Rondeau, an MSU carpen- all 18 of the doors that adorn the east and west ter, and Pam Hebeler, an MSU painter, all 18 doors were recreated with an extreme facades of the facilities. attention to detail. During construction, the doors traveled between Rondeau in the IPF Car- pentry Shop and painter Pam Hebeler in the IPF Paint Shop. 192 Number of unique wood pieces in each of the new auditorium doors 14 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
BTP Sports AS FOR THE OTHER RIVALRY TROPHIES... OLD BRASS SPITTOON This trophy was purchased for $25 in 1950 in hopes of firing up the Spartans before their contest with the Hoosiers. Found in a Lansing antique shop, the Spittoon is believed to date back to the early 1800s. Indiana curently holds the trophy after a Nov. 14 loss to the No. 10 ranked Hoosiers. LAND GRANT TROPHY This trophy honors Michigan State’s and Penn State’s unique places in history as the two pioneer land-grant institutions in the U.S. The trophy came about in 1993, when the schools started a run of playing season finales against Big Win Brings Paul Bunyan Home each other. Penn State took home the trophy with a win on Dec. 12. Spartan nation celebrated Michigan State’s 27-24 MEGAPHONE TROPHY upset over No. 13 Michigan in October, bringing The Spartans and the home the coveted Paul Bunyan trophy and mark- Fighting Irish have com- peted for the Megaphone ing Mel Tucker’s first win over our in-state rival. It trophy since 1949. Intro- duced by the Alumni was also the latest reminder for football fans that Clubs from both schools, one side of the 2020 season was anything but predictable. the trophy is blue, while the other side The four-foot tall wooden statue of Paul Bunyan, is green. The last or the Governor of Michigan Trophy, has been match up was in 2017. Notre Dame presented to the winner of the MSU versus U-M MSU ATHLETICS currrently holds the trophy. football game since 1953. SPARTAN MAGAZINE 15
BTP Research Researchers Work to Keep Michigan Hopping “ As Michigan’s hop industry grows, many of the state’s craft This isn’t brewers would prefer to use going to threaten locally-grown hops for their pilsners, ales and stouts, but a our supply of new species of fungus is threat- hops, but it hurts ening that prospect. our ability to sup- The good news is that MSU research- ply locally grown ers are already working on strategies to manage what they’re calling halo blight, Michigan hops. the disease caused by the fungus. There - Timothy Miles, also shouldn’t be a hop shortage while they Assistant Professor develop those strategies. Although Michi- Plant, Soil and gan is the nation’s fourth largest producer Microbial Sciences of hops, the Pacific Northwest grows the lion’s share of the crop. Greener Pastures MSU researchers have ture’s Natural Resources garnered a nearly $2.6 Conservation Service. million grant to work Basso and his team with farmers across the bring expertise in what’s country to make their known as digital agri- fields more eco-friend- culture to the program. ly while boosting their Using images of fields farms’ bottom lines. Led captured by drones, by MSU Foundation planes and satellites, the 10TH Michigan Professor Bruno Basso, the team is developing conservation practices that cut losses on unpro- researchers create maps of different fields of the same farm. These maps help farmers and re- ranks ductive plots. The grant searchers develop plans 10th in the is part of a nationwide for each location, such as nation for MSU / DOUG HIGGINS initiative called On-Farm which crops to plant and craft beer Conservation Innovation what management strat- production Trials, funded by the U.S. egies to use for maximum Department of Agricul- savings and profit. 16 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
BTP Research A multi-disciplinary team of Michi- gan State University scholars has been awarded $3.2 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to deliver re- newable energy to off-grid communities. This five-year project will deliver transforma- tive advances in science and technology to com- munities where energy is too expensive or unreli- able. These energy solutions could transform the lives of over 650 million people across the globe who are currently saddled with expensive and unsustainable off-the-grid energy options. The project, led by Emilio F. Moran, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Geography, spans across four MSU colleges—social science, engineering, agriculture and natural resources and communication arts and sciences—with par- ticipation of faculty from engineering, journalism, community sustainability and sociology. By engaging stakeholders from the outset, the project will map the informational ecosystem of off-grid communities and empower local resi- dents with choices about what energy sources could best serve them. The work will focus on communities in the Brazilian Amazon, but it will have broad relevance in the U.S. and across the GETTY IMAGES world. MORE ON Learn more: WEB go.msu.edu/nsf-grant SPARTAN MAGAZINE 17
BTP Arts & Culture INTERSTATES OF MIND: REWRITING THE MAP OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE AGE OF THE AUTOMOBILE A new exhibition on view at the MSU Broad through April 10 unpacks our fascina- tion with the automo- bile and the different ideals that continue to shape our visions of the United States today. The show pays special attention to the roles played by Detroit, Flint and Lansing in shaping this history. Drawings and sketches by Michael Burton, a Lansing na- tive and the first Black designer to work for the top three—Ford, Chrysler and GM—will also be on display. MSU ARTISTS EARN TWO LATIN GRAMMY NOMINATIONS Three MSU faculty members and the MSU Wind ALBUM ART Symphony have earned two Latin Grammy nom- The album artwork for King inations for Best Classical album and Best Clas- Mangoberry was created by seventh sical Contemporary composition. MSU faculty and eighth grade and student musicians “from the Michigan State COURTESY COVER ARTWORK students from Chippewa Middle University College of Music wrote, performed and School, Okemos, Michigan produced the album titled ‘King Mangoberry.’” The 2021 Grammys will be held January 31. 18 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
BTP Giving “ HELP FOR STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL I have watched my CHALLENGES DURING PANDEMIC mother work one full- Zach Collen doesn’t mince words about Zach wasn’t alone. Collectively, donors time and three part- how hard he and his family have had to gave more than $763,500 to college-level time jobs so that I could work in order to pay for his education. emergency funds this past year—which concentrate on my While a pandemic demonstrated the went right to work, helping students over- value of nurses in our society, MSU nurs- come financial challenges. studies and not have to ing student and senior Zach Collen told As Zach prepares to make the leap into worry about finances. us, “I have watched my mother work one the workforce, gratitude is top of mind, 41% full-time and three part-time jobs so that and someday he hopes to pay it forward I could concentrate on my studies and not financially. Until then, he plans to pay it have to worry about finances.” forward through his actions: treating his The COVID-19 pandemic forced many patients with respect and dignity, making students into difficult financial situations them feel special and taking extra care The increase in taking away from their ability to focus on with those who are most in need. And applications to completing the school year. That was true during a pandemic, that’s an extremely MSU College for Zach, and that’s why a scholarship reassuring thing to hear. of Nursing BSN from the Nursing Student Emergency MORE ON Learn more about emergency program for Fund couldn’t have come at a better time. WEB student support funds: go.msu.edu/help-students Spring 2021. SPARTAN MAGAZINE 19
BTP Action of Change MSU goes virtual with sexual assault prevention programming In the midst of a global pandemic, MSU’s Prevention, Outreach and Education Department is finding innovative ways to keep students engaged with relationship violence and sexual misconduct prevention programming through virtual events. “ Traditionally, POE hosts a series of in-person Author Chanel Miller delivered a keynote events and educational trainings on campus speech in a fireside chat webinar during last aimed at preventing relationship violence and fall’s Week of Action. She discussed her crit- I am really sexual misconduct. When the university shifted ically acclaimed memoir, “Know My Name,” almost entirely to online education last year in which she tells her story in the aftermath proud of the way to prevent the spread of the virus that causes of a high-profile criminal sexual assault case POE staff came COVID-19, POE acted quickly to engage stu- against a classmate and college athlete. together to dents with interactive training. The novel is a New York Times bestseller, redesign and By the end of fall semester, more than 20,000 a New York Times Book Review Notable students received POE training using Zoom and Book, and a National Book Critics Circle adapt all of our other virtual platforms. Award winner, as well as a best book of 2019 in-person “I am really proud of the way POE staff came in Time, the Washington Post, the Chicago programs to a together to redesign and adapt all of our in-per- Tribune, NPR and People, among others. virtual format. son programs to a virtual format,” POE Director Miller is a 2019 Time Next 100 honoree and We are commit- Kelly Schweda said. “We are committed to con- a 2016 Glamour Woman of the Year honoree tinue to engage and have conversations about under her pseudonym, “Emily Doe.” ted to continue gender-based violence, even if that means we all “We were excited to virtually welcome to engage and have to learn new ways to do that.” Chanel Miller to MSU for It’s On Us Week of have conver- In addition to ongoing prevention training, the Action,” said Damaris Crocker DeRuiter, a sations about team hosted a series of programs, one of which peer educator coordinator in POE. “Chanel’s was the It’s On Us Week of Action that allowed writing focuses on how personal narrative gender-based students to show support to survivors of sexual and empowerment play a role in survivors violence, even if assault and raise awareness of gender-based finding their voice and reclaiming them- that means we all violence. selves and their stories, and I believe MSU have to learn new The White House initiated It’s On Us in 2014 students, faculty, staff and community mem- to encourage campus communities to take a bers were incredibly inspired by her words.” ways to do that. stand against sexual violence. National weeks Throughout the week, POE held a virtual - Kelly Schweda, of action each fall and spring involve student trauma-informed yoga session, and collect- POE Director groups and university units, and support multi- ed letters to survivors in partnership with ple MSU RVSM programs. MSU’s Center for Survivors. “Through It’s On Us Week of Action, we can POE plans to coordinate another It’s On continue to empower our campus on different Us week during Sexual Assault Awareness ways to prevent sexual and relationship violence Month in April. The department will also and grow as a community,” Schweda said. “It is continue to offer workshops for specific important to join together in supporting sur- audiences through the end of the academic vivors who are healing, especially during this year. A list of these workshops can be found critical and stressful time.” at poe.msu.edu. 20 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
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SPARTAN STORY Impossible dreamer Living History An excerpt from Eric Marshall’s journey from Mississippi to Michigan State to Vietnam and beyond. BY TOM SHANAHAN W “ hen I was in American history found him again, sixth grade, we disrupting his plan for graduate When you’re in the had to give a school with an Army draft notice. speech about Marshall arrived in Vietnam 50 infantry, you’ve got what we wanted years ago, serving 13 months, from to fight together to do in life,” Eric Marshall said. July 1970 to August 1971. “Mine was about how I was going to Maybe the local draft board to stay alive. You Michigan State University to play thought he was just another Black understand bullets football and graduate. The other kids body to send to the front lines—they laughed at me. It was the impossible went in disproportionate numbers— don’t discriminate. dream. No one we knew was able to go to a Big Ten school.” but Marshall was a college graduate. That qualified him for Officer Candi- - Eric Marshall Marshall’s story is a life lesson for date School. foreign soil; he commanded a melt- today’s COVID-19-impacted athletes. “I was going to Vietnam anyway. I ing-pot platoon. He adapted to history’s twists and might as well go as an officer. I signed Marshall, 77, eventually retired turns, living through the Ole Miss riot up for Ranger training, jump training, from two careers. First, as an Army of 1962, escaping segregation through jungle training. It was a good thing, Lt. Col., having served 24 years Coach Duffy Daugherty’s effort to too. When you first get there, your around the world, including a diplo- integrate his team, serving as a young men think you’re some lieutenant matic trip to Moscow while stationed lieutenant in Vietnam and retiring that doesn’t know what’s going on in West Berlin. Next, as a high school from a second career as a high school over there. My training gained their principal in the San Francisco Uni- principal in San Francisco. confidence.” fied School District. Marshall was never more than a Only in America can history flip After all these years and events, backup quarterback for MSU, but all circumstances so quickly and dramat- throughout the twists and turns, he that mattered to him was fulfilling his ically. is proud of his life’s journey. Today’s dream of earning his political science In 1962, Marshall was a bystander COVID-19-impacted athletes can degree. He had the last laugh on his on racially blood-stained Mississippi learn from him—that life can still sixth-grade classmates as a high soil; he watched the Army protect a turn out fulfilled. school senior. descendant of slaves from Confed- “I read them my scholarship letter erate progenies. Eight years later, he MORE ON Read the full story about from Duffy.” was an Army officer on blood-stained WEB Eric Marshall: go.msu.edu/marshall 22 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Eric Marshall wears his Spartan #19 jersey in his official team portrait. Eric “Ruben” Marshall on the run during his senior year. Notre Dame and Michigan State quarterbacks at the 2017 joint reunion (L-R): Eric Marshall (1963-67), Steve Juday (1963-65, 1965 MSU / COURTESY PERSONAL PHOTOS All-American; Michigan State Hall of Fame), Jimmy Raye (1965-67, 1966 All-Big Ten; Michigan State Hall of Fame), John Mullen (1964- 1966) and Notre Dame’s Terry Hanratty. A 2015 snapshot of Eric and two-time All-American, Bob Apisa. Eric Marshall graduated in 1968 with a degree in political science Eric Marshall, ’68 and plans for attending graduate school when the Vietnam War College of Social Science intervened. SPARTAN MAGAZINE 23
Jazmin Bailey, ’11 College of Communication Arts and Sciences WESH TV 24 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
SPARTAN STORY Truth teller Making News Personal As a news anchor in Orlando, Jazmin Bailey speaks publicly about her personal life while bonding with viewers and keeping them informed. BY TOM KERTSCHER S partan tough love, you of breaking news in Orlando. walk around with all their chal- might call it, steeled Bailey discovered as a young TV lenges and they hold them inside Jazmin Bailey to compete reporter in Virginia that her work and never tell anyone because of for a shrinking number of could make a difference beyond the fear or shame; the thought that jobs in television news. news desk. someone will judge them. “ The journalism graduate was “And being a news anchor who stunned shortly after arriving shows up on TV every day that you on campus. recognize and you think probably “I just remember one of the coun- Modeling vulnerabil- has this amazing life, and you’re selors saying, ‘Well, this is a sink-or- ity is a very powerful like, wait a minute, you were swim program. We will teach you; we will equip you with the knowledge to thing that you can do, getting abused at home and then showing up at work? Yeah, I was; go out and to be a great journalist, but because most peo- that was happening.” you are going to have to do the work.’” ple just kind of walk Bailey said her memoir, “The “That sticks out to me because I Woman With The Oil: Baring All took it seriously.” around with all their and Healing From The Inside The courses in the MSU School challenges and they Out,” and speaking publicly about of Journalism taught Bailey tough hold them inside and her abuse experience bonded her lessons. She vividly remembers failing with viewers in a different way one of her first reporting courses be- never tell anyone. than broadcasting does. cause of a factual error on a weighted “I tell stories and I make sure assignment. That moment taught Bai- “You realize this is much bigger that people are informed every ley that fact-checking was essential to than me and I have the opportunity day, and that’s great. But now I am journalism. She took this knowledge to share stories with people that more than a pretty woman on TV into her career and cited it as a lesson could end up changing someone’s who reads the news. I’m the wom- she would never forget in the future. life,” she said. an who’s bold enough to speak her In April 2020, Bailey received Bailey has also connected with truth and be unapologetic about the Rising Star award from MSU’s people by bringing her authentic maintaining her peace.” College of Communication Arts and self to the job and opening up about Sciences in recognition of her success a toxic marriage and the domestic Learn more: early in her career. She is currently an abuse that accompanied it. MORE ON Twitter: @jazminmbailey anchor at WESH, a Hearst television “Modeling vulnerability is a very WEB Jazmin’s funny Facebook video: station in Central Florida, where she powerful thing that you can do, go.msu.edu/jazmin won a 2017 Emmy Award for coverage because most people just kind of SPARTAN MAGAZINE 25
SPARTAN STORY Design driver Passion for Design Spurred by a desire to be the best, Ralph Gilles designs vehicles that people love to drive. BY TOM KERTSCHER M any of the best-look- Then, in high school, his class- ing cars of recent mates decided that a new student times owe some of had supplanted Gilles, who was de- their appeal to Ralph signing and redesigning cars through Gilles, MBA ’02, and sketching, as the best in the school at to what he observed as a boy. drawing. “It was the best thing that “I joke that I grew up in the ugly ’70s ever happened to me, because then I and ’80s,” said Gilles, global president of really took it seriously,” he said. product design at Fiat Chrysler Au- Gilles is proud of his work on a tomobiles. “In the mid- to late-’70s, a Dodge sports car, the “Gen 5 Viper,” lot of cars got really funky-looking; we at a time when the company was de- thought the muscle car was gone, back ciding whether to bring the car back. then. So, anything fun was quite rare. “Even to this day, it has a hero- “Once in a while, when you saw some- icness about it, an outrageousness thing like a Porsche 911, or even an older that’s attractive,” he said. “It com- ’Cuda or something like that, it really bines many of my loves. I like muscle stood out; it was really special. And so cars, the idea of power, I love the it made me notice the contrast between driving and I love the styling. It had Ralph Gilles, ’02 the mundane cars and these cars with all those things. And the later models Eli Broad College of Business spirit to them. are outstanding track cars. I’m an “I noticed that even at 7-8 years old,” amateur racer. Driving your own Gilles continued. “I was like, ‘Why brand on the racetrack and having it As for African-Americans advanc- am I feeling such an attraction to this dominate is so much fun.” ing in the corporate world, Gilles machine?’ It made me hyper-tuned-in Gilles said he is also proud of his said: to that feeling of the contrast between a work with the Pacifica minivan, “I think, in general, whether it’s at boring car and an awesome car.” the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the the board level of companies or the Gilles, who joined Chrysler Corp. Ram truck. “We happen to have (executive level), definitely I think in 1992, recalled that the fascination these amazing brands that also have the top of companies need to look led him to magazines such as Car and great car clubs behind them. Having like the market. I think America is FIAT CHRYSLER Driver and Road & Track. “I would read brands that people create commu- getting more diverse every day, just them back-to-back like a minister reads nities around is huge. You don’t see naturally. I stop short of promoting the Bible,” he said. that with too many brands.” affirmative action, because I think it 26 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
“ could be very organic once you give it a second thought.” His own career will remain on the Once in a while, when you saw something same track. “The visceral part is something, I like a Porsche 911, or even an older ’Cuda or don’t know where it comes from, but something like that, it really stood out; it was to this day, I still have that feeling. It never gets old.” really special. And so [even as a child] it made Twitter: @RalphGilles me notice the contrast between the mundane cars and these cars with spirit to them. MORE ON WEB Video: How he made his dream a reality: go.msu.edu/gilles SPARTAN MAGAZINE 27
SPARTAN STORY Dr. Do-It-All Renaissance doctor Whether as a public health official or a track star, Delano Meriwether knows how to get the job done. BY LIAM BOYLAN-PETT G rowing up Black in he had nothing but good things to American Veterinary Medical segregated Charles- say about his time there. “MSU was Association for his research on ton, South Carolina, a joyous place for me,” he said. internal parasites found in dogs— there were certain Meriwether left MSU and be- MSU recruited him because of the places Delano Meri- came the first Black American to award. After beginning his studies wether simply could not go. When enroll at Duke University School at MSU, however, Meriwether Meriwether came to MSU in the of Medicine, and by 1976, he was decided he wanted to be a medical fall of 1960, however, he felt like he appointed the director of the U.S. doctor. had entered a whole new world. Public Health Service’s immuni- The veterinary world’s loss was For the first time, Meriwether zation program. On top of that, a gain for the world of medicine. could go to the movies and any Meriwether became a track star, Meriwether graduated from Duke restaurant he wanted to. He even winning the 1971 national champi- in 1967, and then earned a master’s joined an intramural volleyball onship in the 100-yard dash. degree in public health from Johns team. “It was very clear to me when Hopkins University. Soon after, “ I went out to Michigan State, I had he oversaw the immunization to make the most of it,” Meriwether program, where he was tasked with said. “But how can you make the It was very clear to leading the team in charge of im- most of something when there are me when I went out munizing over 100 million people so many distractions?” to Michigan State, against the swine flu in a span of Those distractions did not end six months. Because he was also a up slowing Meriwether down. I had to make the track star, Meriwether was profiled Instead, after three years, he left most of it. by Sports Illustrated, Time and MSU without a degree, but with a People, among others. The more glowing resume. His only bad expe- Living a full life has never been a publicity regarding the vaccine, rience, he said, was informing his problem for Meriwether. Meriwether thought, the better. favorite professor he was leaving Ten years prior to becoming an Today, as the world begins the MSU’s veterinary program. “I don’t integral part of the immunization rollout of a vaccine for the corona- normally quit things,” Meriwether program in the 1970s, he enrolled virus, Meriwether is hopeful the said, “but once I had Michigan at MSU with the plan of becoming process goes as well as it did for State’s blessing, I felt ready to apply a veterinarian. He had worked him back in 1976—even if he has to medical school.” His career at in a veterinary hospital in high his worries. “We need to approach Michigan State came to an end, but school and won an award from the and address the whole issue of 28 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
The 2021 ALUMNI GRAND AWARDS MIC HIGAN STATE UNIV ERS ITY MERIWETHER NAMED ALUMNI GRAND AWARD WINNER On Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, Delano Meriwether will be among 12 other Spartans who will be honored during the Grand Awards Gala in East Lansing, Michgan. This signature event, hosted by the MSU Alumni Wilhelm Delano Meriwether Office, recognizes alumni College of Natural Science and friends who positively reflect the values of MSU through their inspiring the current pandemic on the basis of down the track, Meriwether is still contributions of service, sense,” Meriwether said. “Common trying to live a full life, just like he excellence and generosity. sense, as well as scientific sense.” did at MSU. After his work on the vaccine, Like the young man who came to Nominations are currently Meriwether spent much of the 1980s MSU and faced distractions, Meri- being accepted for the COURTESY OF DUKE UNIVERSITY in South Africa, working as a doc- wether remains open to anything 2022 awards. If you know tor for millions in the region. Now and everything. “I still have a lot to a great Spartan, please 77, he lives in Maryland with his learn,” he said. It is very likely he will. consider submitting a nomination by Sept. 1 at: wife, just outside of Washington, D.C. go.msu.edu/grand-awards While he is no longer running a pub- MORE ON Learn more: lic health program or running sprints WEB go.msu.edu/meriwether SPARTAN MAGAZINE 29
INVENTING TOMORROW MSU faculty’s ability to keep coming up with groundbreaking ideas and take them to the marketplace has greatly helped improve the quality of life in communi- ties near and far and has helped Michigan and the United States compete in a global environment. BY LIAM BOYLAN-PETT 30 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
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I n 1929, MSU Professor G. Malcolm Trout did not like the taste of milk. Back in 1864, Louis Pasteur had discovered that heating milk—or wine or beer—killed most of the bacteria in the liquid, thus creating the process of pasteurization. Then, in 1899, Auguste Gaulin patented a “homogeniz- ing machine” that emulsified milk and gave it its rich, creamy, white color. Thanks to MSU Professor G. Malcolm Trout, homoge- nized milk became feasible, and combined with pas- teurization, it became safe Until Trout, however, no MSU faculty members are Development at MSU and and appealing to drink. one thought to link the two credited with over 2,700 MSU Innovation Center processes. His research at inventions. executive director, said at MSU led to the discovery The university takes its the 2015 Innovation Center that homogenized milk propensity for invention Celebration. “The process needed to be pasteurized and innovation seriously of bringing technologies to first. Thanks to Trout, milk and proudly, showcasing market is a long road, filled was safe to drink, and it the vital work its faculty is with trial and error, but looked appetizing; plus, it doing. In fact, beginning in we provide the necessary tasted good. He wrote “Ho- 2011, the MSU Innovation resources and support to mogenized Milk,” which Center began hosting an make this possible for both became a respected book in annual Innovation Celebra- MSU faculty and students.” the dairy industry. To this tion. The event, a network- The 2020 Innovation day, Trout is credited with ing reception that showcas- Celebration was canceled William J. Beal invented hybrid corn at MSU in 1872, helping to make homoge- es innovative technologies due to the COVID-19 leading to higher yields and nized milk feasible. developed in campus labs pandemic. Even if unable better-quality corn. Trout was not the first in- and beyond, honors the to do so in person, the MSU novator on campus, and he university’s greatest inno- Innovation Center still certainly was not the last. vators and innovations. honored the “Innovation Famed botanist William J. “To create something of the Year” virtually. The Beal invented hybrid corn new, it requires an in- team looks forward to the in 1872 while at MSU. In credible amount of labor, next decade of innovation. the early 1970s, Dr. Barnett perseverance and creativity. Over the following pages, Rosenberg and his team on The innovation, invention you will find a few of MSU’s campus invented Cisplatin and research created at greatest innovations hon- and Carboplatin, two of the MSU are something that ored at previous innovation Dr. Barnett Rosenberg and world’s leading anti-cancer needs to be shared with the celebrations. They are some his team on campus invented drugs. Those are only a few world,” Charles Hasemann, of MSU’s greatest gifts to Cisplatin and Carboplatin, two of the world’s leading examples of discoveries assistant vice president for the world. anti-cancer drugs. in East Lansing. In fact, Innovation and Economic 32 WINTER 2021 A LU M N I . M SU. E DU
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