An Extraordinary Celebration
A spectacular blend of multi-media and live presentations, “Thy Praises MSU” offers a glimpse at a bright future for Michigan State, and launched the public phase of Empower Extraordinary: The Campaign for MSU on October 24, 2014.
The program, held at MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts, opened with the MSU Symphony Orchestra performing an original musical piece created by MSU alumnus and Tony-award winning arranger William Brohn.
Before an audience of more than 1,200, President Lou Anna K. Simon officially announces the campaign’s goals. President Simon also thanks donors and alumni for their roles in bringing MSU to this important moment in its history.
An Engine of Opportunity
Providing Extraordinary Opportunities
Alumnus Mark Ehlert and student Nicholas Keywork, an Alumni Distinguished Scholar, discuss why private support is critical to keeping MSU’s doors open to the best and brightest—regardless of their financial means.
“Becoming a Spartan is truly a life-altering experience. Which is not to say that it turns you into someone you weren’t before—in fact, the many diverse opportunities the university provides allow each student to learn more about themselves and become exactly the person they want to be.”
“Endowed gifts have a lasting impact at Michigan State. We need to attract the best students to remain competitive among our peers, and we have a responsibility to generations of Spartans to come.”
Supporting Exceptional Student Experiences
Jordyn Castor’s passion for accessibility makes a difference at Wall Street, as she pursues career path that will impact the lives of others.
More Than Simply Giving Back
April Clobes, alumna and MSU Federal Credit Union Chief Executive Officer, shares why MSU remaining an engine of opportunity is an important investment.
Providing a Global Perspective
Sean Fitzpatrick is living out his learning journey—from New York to West Africa—through exceptional experiences.
Showing Appreciation
More than 150 students take the opportunity to stand up and say “thank you” to the donors in attendance.
Investing in People
Steve Smith/Pershing High School scholarship recipient and College of Social Science junior Sherronia Dorsey-Walker is a first-generation student who loves to help others; and being a Spartan is enabling her to do exactly that.
Better to Give Than Receive
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo shares how he has seen first-hand the difference gifts make for students.
A Force for Creativity, Discovery, and Learning
Building on an Academic Legacy
Provost June Pierce Youatt and Associate Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences Bruno Basso discuss why establishing 100 new endowed chairs and funding important academic programs is critical to MSU’s ability to retain and attract great thinkers.
“Talented faculty are the key to recruiting great graduate and undergraduate students, and to securing research funding. The best of the best in every field want to work among other top-tier thought leaders with whom they can exchange ideas and explore new areas of research.”
“Unfortunately, among Big Ten schools, we trail woefully behind in the number of endowed chairs and professorships. So our goal for this campaign: 100 new endowed chairs. Achieving this goal will make a significant difference to the future of this university and its students.”
Mentoring for the Future
Bruno Basso shows how funding makes ideas happen, and allows the transfer of science to create a better world.
Alumnus Roger Koenig says his support for an endowed chair honors his parents, and is spurring innovation in MSU’s BEACON Institute.
“An endowed chair is a perpetual and honored academic position—with a purpose.”
A Passion for Answers
After spending 20 of his 42 years at MSU as the Matilda Wilson Professor in Large Animal Clinical Sciences, veterinarian Edward Robinson finds fulfillment through research and teaching.
A Dream Lives Here
Through his poem “Schooled,” alumnus William Langford urges listeners to celebrate differences as he evokes the passion and determination commonly found among Spartans.
Hope and Change
The University Chorale and State Singers perform a popular folk song from Haiti, “Wangol,” which expresses hope and change for a brighter future.
A Global Problem Solver
Advancing the Common Good
Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies Stephen Hsu and Goldwater Scholar David Zoltowski talk about Spartans making a major difference for the greater good through private support.
“MSU has gone beyond fostering projects—we’ve carved out new fields of study and built partnerships across Michigan, throughout the nation, and around the world.”
“By supporting this Empower Extraordinary priority, you strengthen the university’s ability to innovate, to pioneer new fields of research and to transform the way we teach, collaborate, create, and communicate.”
Endowing to Inspire
Randy Cowen, MSU alumnus and donor, discusses how attracting oustanding faculty members is critical to the future of MSU.
A Force for Good
College of Education Dean Donald E. Heller and Assistant Dean and Professor of Counseling Sonya Gunnings-Moton discuss the importance of partnerships, and how MSU is working to solve global problems.
“MSU is committed to this priority, to be a global problem solver. But to do it we need public, private and corporate partnerships. Our partners make it possible to take the discoveries and innovations that originate here at MSU, and apply them where they can do the most good.”
“Our partnership with India-based Wipro, Ltd. addresses a critical need: math and science teachers in America's urban school districts.”
Equipping Future Global Leaders
Through performing research with top faculty, Timothy Nakedde from Uganda is having his own extraordinary experiences at MSU.
A Vibrant Community
Why Do You Love MSU?
On a typical campus day, members of the Spartan community discuss what they love about MSU.
Creation and Innovation
Campaign Co-Chairs and MSU alumni Dee Cook and Bob Skandalaris talk about how, with new investments, we can modernize infrastructure, create spaces that inspire the next generation of thinkers, artists, athletes, and leaders—while also providing the resources needed for emerging opportunities.
“These places and the people who populate them contribute to the energy, the camaraderie, and the diversity that makes this a truly vibrant community.”
“Michigan State’s beautiful campus has been an incubator for thousands of dreams and ideas, all supported and nurtured by our MSU values such as quality, inclusiveness, and connectivity.”
More Than Just a Place
The Hatch, a resource center for aspiring entrepreneurs, helps turn MSU students’ ideas into businesses.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Eli Broad College of Business Acting Dean and Russell E. Palmer Endowed Professor in Accounting Sanjay Gupta announces a $25 million challenge grant to transform graduate business education at MSU.
Expanding Learning Opportunities
Director of Jazz Studies and University Distinguished Professor of Jazz Bass Rodney Whitaker discusses what could be possible with increased funding.
Stepping from Ordinary Into Extraordinary
Whitaker’s performance illustrates first-hand the vibrant community that makes up MSU.
Spartans Will.
Campaign Co-Chairs Dee Cook and Bob Skandalaris close by discussing why the world needs Spartans—and Spartans need you.
Growing MSU
The MSU Symphony Orchestra and the University Chorale and State Singers conclude the program by performing, “Make Our Garden Grow,” from the musical Candide.
Private support means stepping from ordinary to extraordinary. Play your part by supporting MSU’s future—and choose to Empower Extraordinary today.
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