The State News

Happy Tuesday, Spartans! Stay informed this voting season by picking up our Election print edition. It has everything from who is running for MSU trustee to where to go for early voting on campus. Or read online here: https://lnkd.in/eHCeVGZX

Performances from freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh and sixth year kicker Jonathan Kim played a key factor in MSU football's 32-20 victory over Iowa on Saturday. Marsh was awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Week Monday after catching eight passes for 113 yards. Kim earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors after making six field goals, a single-game program record. In MSU's trajectory-altering win over the Hawkeyes, Marsh was all over the field, finding gaps in coverage and exploiting a solid Iowa defense for substantial gains. On MSU's final scoring drive which put the Spartans up double digits, Marsh delivered a flurry of timely grabs and nifty run-after-catch ability with three receptions for 42 yards. Marsh’s final catch of the day was called a touchdown on the field, but replay review determined Marsh’s knee was down at Iowa's one-yard line, and the call was reversed. MSU found the end zone on the next play. The award is Marsh's second time earning Big Ten Player of the Week, his first coming after a 194-yard showing against Maryland in week two. Saturday was also his second 100-yard game, sitting at 24 receptions for 433 yards and one touchdown on the season. Marsh leads all MSU pass catchers in receiving yards. Kim made six field goals to break an MSU football record for most field goals in a game. The previous record was held by John Langelow and Paul Edingerm, who both had five in a game. Continue reading at: https://lnkd.in/eYdXsSUQ.

At a virtual public forum Wednesday night, the four major party candidates running for Michigan State University trustee fielded questions on affordability, investment policy, public transportation and how to achieve the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals. The forum was hosted by the Associated Students of MSU and was split into two sessions: the first featured Democrat Thomas Stallworth and Republican Mike Balow, and the second featured Democrat Rebecca Bahar-Cook and Republican Julie Maday. Questions posed to the candidates by the moderators varied slightly across the two sessions, but stayed within the same broad areas of focus. The event was intentionally structured by ASMSU as a forum, rather than a debate, a format that was fitting given the broad similarities among candidates on their priorities at MSU should they be elected. "Elections are contentious things, our politics have become so crazy these days, but look at what we have here at MSU," Balow, a Republican, said in his closing remarks. "We apparently have a bunch of candidates who are just trying to put themselves forth and no one’s saying anything bad about each other, and we all have very similar goals to each other." Democrat Rebecca Bahar-Cook said "I don’t think MSU can do wrong with any of the four candidates." Read the rest at: https://lnkd.in/ec6aNjWS

Hi Spartans! If you are on campus today, check out our Homecoming print edition! The online version can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e7nMDi_7.

The State News has covered the Michigan State University community since 1909, creating a space for students to find stories about themselves and voice their opinions and concerns about campus. However, The State News has not always reached out to the public to make sure readers know who we are and who students are confiding in when they tell us their stories. So we want to open our doors to you, our readers, to meet us and learn more about our newsroom. On Monday, Oct. 14, the newsroom will be open to the public so the community can meet our student and professional staff and tour the newsroom. From 6-8 p.m., we will hold a presentation and answer live and pre-submitted questions. And of course, we will provide snacks (free, if it's any extra incentive). To RSVP, click here: https://lnkd.in/gQaK8aBf To submit a question, click here: https://lnkd.in/g2n2y7EM Read the full column here: https://lnkd.in/gip8fpp7

A large population of Michigan State University students get around campus on electric scooters. If you happen to see someone scooting around on a razor scooter, however, it will likely be MSU's newly hired campus planner, Brandon List.  "It's just easier than having a bike," List said. "So I'll just grab my scooter and during class changes see how people move around campus. I need to sort of step back and observe, and that helps inform my work." List was hired in August of this year to replace Steve Troost, who has been the campus planner for the past two decades.   As a campus planner, List must gain a deep understanding of MSU’s campus and how people use it. His role is to help guide the physical development of campus, from academic buildings to bike routes.  "I always tell people I have the best job on campus," List said. "I think I do, just because I get to see a whole bunch of different things going on, right? New projects, long range planning, just getting out and walking around." In December of 2023, MSU’s board passed Vision 2050, which is the Integrated Facilities and Land Use Plan that lays out the goals for the physical development of campus within the next 30 years. "My day to day is basically making sure that the university is staying true to (Vision 2050) and guide decision-making that best suits the physical environment of the university," List said. The main goals of Vision 2050 include the academic and research sectors, campus life and arts and culture. List said that the university is seeking to consolidate these sectors and make campus more convenient and efficient for students, staff and faculty. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/e6HyYPeu.

The annual Michigan State Madness event introducing the men's and women's basketball teams will take place Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at Breslin Center. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the event will conclude around 9 p.m. Admission is free. This year’s MSU Madness will start two and a half hours earlier than recent years, mainly so the Spartan community can watch the MSU-Oregon football game at 9 p.m. MSU Madness will be a "serious scrimmage," men's head basketball coach Tom Izzo said, to showcase the team’s chemistry and talent. Izzo said his team has 10 to 11 guys that can match up with one another and his assistant coaches keep track of statistics every practice. Almost every year, Izzo and the women's coach — now Robyn Fralick — dress up in costumes for MSU Madness. Themes have ranged from Evel Knievel and KISS to The Hulk and astronauts. Read more about the campout here: https://lnkd.in/eKhjm3ef.

The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as well as civil rights leader and former congressman John Lewis are all members of an elite group of public figures who have been widely recognized for the roles they played in shaping the world as we know it. On Tuesday night, this group opened its doors to Michigan State University men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo. Izzo was former Gov. Jim Blanchard’s honorary guest at this year’s Jim Blanchard Public Service Forum, an annual event hosted by the College of Social Science that aims to allow students to hear from leaders in politics, entertainment and other fields. Sitting where esteemed statesmen and authors have once sat, Izzo fielded a variety of questions from Gov. Blanchard that touched on his upbringing in Iron Mountain, MI, his reaction to his son, Steven’s, first career point as well as his opinion on the recent expansion of the Big Ten conference. Read the whole story here: https://lnkd.in/eahV_dDR

The Jeff Hosler era has ushered in unprecedented success for MSU's women’s soccer program. On a remarkable start to the 2024 season, MSU's fourth year head coach has molded the No. 5 ranked Spartans into a national force. Through 10 games, the Spartans boast a 8-0-2 record — their best start in program history. MSU's winning momentum has not only brought a different energy about the team, but it's sparked a surge in fan support, creating a formidable home-field advantage at DeMartin Stadium. Under Hosler, the program leads the Big Ten in both total and average attendance. The 3,180 fans in attendance for an August non-conference game against Arkansas was the ninth-highest figure for total attendance in the NCAA so far this season. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eD6wjpdk