The week in photos: September 27–October 3, 2021

Fans in the student section cheered, chanted and rattled their keys at Saturday night’s Homecoming game as Michigan State beat Western Kentucky 48–31, bringing our winning streak to 5–0 for the season. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Barbara Ross-Lee, class of 1973, rides in the Homecoming Parade as grand marshal. Ross-Lee was the first African-American female to serve as dean of a U.S. medical school, and her powerful journey perfectly embodies this year’s Homecoming theme “Spartans Journey Together.” Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

There’s no correct way to sit on a bench, is there? A student studies on a bench created as part of the MSU Sustainable Wood Recovery Initiative. The initiative takes trees that were removed from campus and repurposes them into furniture, including these benches outside of Erickson Hall. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

MSU cheerleaders bring pep to the Homecoming Parade. The MSU Spirit Squad, which consists of both a cheer and dance team, makes more than 200 appearances per year, ranging from football games to alumni events. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Impatient for the leaves to change color? Golden Hour on campus hits the foliage in just the right way, bringing out orange and yellow hues that rival any chlorophyll reduction that autumn may bring. Photo by Nick Schrader.

MSU College of Music students rehearse for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Billman Music Pavilion. The pavilion expanded music facilities by 37,000 feet, adding performance and rehearsal spaces as well as renovating existing spaces within the Music Building. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

IPF’s Landscape Services helps a section of HRT 213L, Landscape Maintenance Field Laboratory, renovate the patio area outside Yakeley Hall. As part of the Department of Horticulture, the Landscape Maintenance Field Lab teaches students about landscape planning, plant care and site analysis. Photo by Nick Schrader.

Everyone loves a good collaboration! MSU Sustainability and the student organization Sustainable Spartans plants a pollinator garden with the help of IPF’s Landscape Services. This pollinator garden, planted next to the Red Cedar River, uses local flowers and plants to welcome more bees and butterflies to campus. Photo by Nick Schrader.

Fans head home from Spartan Stadium after a win that bumps MSU football to #11 in the AP Poll. The Spartans hit the road next Saturday as they take on Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey, for a Big Ten battle that’s sure to be one for the books. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Ope! Even our cutting-edge robot lawnmowers show some Michigander courtesy. The autonomous lawn mower robots are part of an Infrastructure, Planning and Facilities effort to create “green zones” on campus where quiet, efficient zero emission maintenance practices are implemented. Photo by Nick Schrader.

An unexpected view of the Computer Center roof shows off a deep teal color. Take joy in the little things this week, Spartans. Photo by Nick Schrader.

The greatest, most muscular mascot in the Big Ten greets adoring fans at the Homecoming Parade. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.