A Fall Filled With Gratitude

Inspired by a season of celebration and congratulations.

November 14, 2023

From the buzz of student life to the cool, crisp air, there’s something exhilarating about fall on campus. And judging by the crowd and community that showed up for September’s Homecoming festivities, many of you feel it, too.

It was a true celebration of Spartan camaraderie. I’d like to thank our 2023 Grand Marshal, two-time All American in MSU Women’s Track & Field and Rhodes scholar, Molly Brennan, ’82, for helping spread Spartan spirit all week long. I’d also like to thank all the alums who made it back to join us on campus.

There’s an unmistakable energy when we come together.

You could feel it this summer during Grandparents University, which welcomed more than 3,000 participants. The three-day program, which brings young Spartans and their grandparents to MSU for an intergenerational learning experience, was our first in three years. We look forward to continuing this unique tradition next summer.

Congratulations are in order, as well. First, to the 2023 Alumni Grand Awards recipients. In a departure from past celebrations, this year’s ceremony will take place at Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre and is open to all. A second congratulations goes to the Class of 1973, who celebrated their 50-year commencement anniversary this fall at the Kedzie Reunion.

In what has been a busy season, the addition of three new Alumni Advisory Board members cannot be overlooked. A warm welcome to Brenda Betts, assistant vice chancellor of health sciences development and alumni relations at UC Davis Health; Shondra Marshall, educational consultant and director of the Center for Racial and Social Justice at MPHI, and Tim Richardson, director of strategic sourcing at Verizon.

I’ll conclude with one final note of gratitude: a special thanks to all of you for being part of the Spartan family. Go Green!

 

Nick McLaren, ’99
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF ALUMNI