Jump to HeaderJump to Main ContentJump to Footer
Michigan State University
  • Browse Stories By

    Topics

    Explore stories by subject area

    • Arts and Culture
    • Business and Economy
    • Climate and Environment
    • Education and Learning
    • Engineering, Science and Technology
    • Government and Society
    • Health and Medicine
    • Media and Communications
    • MSU Leadership and Impact
    • Sports and Recreation
    • Student and Campus Experience
    View All Stories

    Collections

    Curated story series

    • Turfgrass
    • Ask the Expert
    • Big Ideas
    • Climate solutions
    • Water at MSU
    • Mobility
    • Spartan Perspectives
    • Student views
    • Graduate voices
    • Faculty voices
    View All Collections

    Featured

    Editor's picks

    • The Spartans behind your favorite Michigan golf courses

      July 22, 2026

      The Spartans behind your favorite Michigan golf courses

    • MSU in the 1990s: 10 Spartan milestones

      July 14, 2026

      MSU in the 1990s: 10 Spartan milestones

MSUTODAY
  • Browse Stories By

< Browse Stories By

Topics

Explore stories by subject area

  • Arts and Culture
  • Business and Economy
  • Climate and Environment
  • Education and Learning
  • Engineering, Science and Technology
  • Government and Society
  • Health and Medicine
  • Media and Communications
  • MSU Leadership and Impact
  • Sports and Recreation
  • Student and Campus Experience
  • View All Stories

Collections

Curated story series

  • Turfgrass
  • Ask the Expert
  • Big Ideas
  • Climate solutions
  • Water at MSU
  • Mobility
  • Spartan Perspectives
  • Student views
  • Graduate voices
  • Faculty voices
  • View All Collections

Featured

Editor's picks

  • The Spartans behind your favorite Michigan golf courses

    July 22, 2026

    The Spartans behind your favorite Michigan golf courses

  • MSU in the 1990s: 10 Spartan milestones

    July 14, 2026

    MSU in the 1990s: 10 Spartan milestones

  • For Media
  • Experts
  • Releases and Statements
  • Sign Up
  • Update Information

Resources

  • A to Z Index
  • Find People
  • Maps
  • Email
  • Student Information System (SIS)
  • D2L
  • Libraries
  • Tech Support
  • MSU Misconduct Hotline
  • Social Media Directory
  • Events Calendar
  • For Media
Michigan State University
MSUToday
  • For Media
  • Experts
  • Releases and Statements
  • Sign Up
  • Update Information
MSUTODAY
MSU Economic Impact

Jan. 24, 2024

Happy birthday, Michigan!

Celebrating MSU’s relationship with Michigan on the state’s birthday

By: Liam Boylan-Pett

When Michigan State University was founded in 1855 — it was the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan back then and the nation’s first agricultural college and premier land-grant university — the state of Michigan was a mere 18 years old. As Michigan has grown and adapted since it officially became a state in 1837, so has MSU. To celebrate Michigan’s 187th birthday on Jan. 26, we curated this gallery to show some of the ways Spartans are working with partners across Michigan for the betterment of the state and MSU.

From Michigan’s state university to the state of Michigan, happy birthday!

Rock formation juts into the sky next to leaf-covered trees with a view of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Penninusla
Apple mDeveloper Academy graduates
A researcher with a fly fishing rod casts a line in the Au Sauble River
Apple hanging on a branch in the sunshine
Pedro Bautista stands with hands on hips looking onward while framed by out of focus blueberry plants in the foreground.
Birds-eye view of Beaumont Tower and Spartan Stadium in the snow
Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Individuals at the Flint Rx Kids program pose in front of a white background.
Students walking outside on a foot bridge. Lush, green-leaved trees are behind as they walk.
Rock formation juts into the sky next to leaf-covered trees with a view of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Penninusla
Apple mDeveloper Academy graduates
MSU’s relationship with the state doesn’t stop at the tip of the mitten, either. In fact, MSU has three AgBioResearch centers beyond the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center was established in 1899 at Chatham, Michigan, to conduct “experiments pertaining to agriculture and horticulture . . . beneficial to the agricultural interests of the upper peninsula.”
The Apple Developer Academy in Detroit is a partnership between Apple and Michigan State University that is supported by the Gilbert Family Foundation. The 10-month program teaches critical business and app development skills and prepares students for careers in the growing app economy. In June 2023, the academy celebrated its second graduating cohort, with plenty more graduating classes to come. Photograph by Derrick L. Turner.
When the state of Michigan needs sustainability solutions, it knows it has a resource in MSU. The Au Sable River, situated in Michigan’s northern lower peninsula, is a Blue Ribbon trout stream. To ensure the sustainability of the river’s fishery, researchers from MSU are working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Photograph courtesy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
MSU’s impact in Michigan extends far beyond its East Lansing campus. In 2023, the university’s endowment fund became the majority investor in the historic Fisher Building in Detroit. The university anticipates supporting an array of educational, administrative and community-facing functions within the building, while the MSU Research Foundation plans to open a startup incubator. Photograph by Nadir Ali, courtesy of the Platform.
When it comes to apples, MSU researchers are helping Michigan growers identify the best apple varieties for hard apple cider. Photograph by Nick Schrader.
Pedro Bautista is a blueberry and chestnut farmer in West Michigan. His farm hosts numerous training sessions for La Cosecha, an MSU program that plays a vital role in Michigan’s economy. La Cosecha is a three-year educational program for beginning Latino/a farmers and ranchers offered in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Telamon Corporation. Photograph by Nick Schrader.
As a land-grant university, MSU’s mission is to advance knowledge and transform lives – and the university is proud to call Michigan home while living up to that mission. While the state of Michigan might be 18 years older, we like to think we’ve been a big part of the state’s history. The MSU community is excited about helping shape the future of Michigan, too. Photograph by Garret Morgan.
The university is building on its leadership and history in cancer care by expanding accessible precision treatment in Michigan inside the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building that’s part of the MSU Grand Rapids Innovation Park. Photograph courtesy of the MSU College of Human Medicine.
In January 2024, Flint pregnant people and newborns began enrolling in Rx Kids. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was joined by MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., MSU College of Human Medicine Dean Aron Sousa, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation President Ridgway White for the historic launch at Hurley Children’s Hospital. The program, which provides money to pregnant people and families during a baby’s first 12 months, holds the promise to eradicate deep poverty among families with infants in Flint. Photograph by Jill Vondrasek.
MSU is committed to Michigan’s next generation of innovators and creators. In 2023, the university launched a new financial aid program, Spartan Tuition Advantage, which automatically covers the full cost of tuition for all Pell Grant-eligible Michigan high school graduates who have a family income of $65,000 or less, starting with the fall 2024 class. The program is expected to cover tuition for more than 6,000 students annually. Photograph by Derrick L. Turner.
MSU’s relationship with the state doesn’t stop at the tip of the mitten, either. In fact, MSU has three AgBioResearch centers beyond the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center was established in 1899 at Chatham, Michigan, to conduct “experiments pertaining to agriculture and horticulture . . . beneficial to the agricultural interests of the upper peninsula.”
The Apple Developer Academy in Detroit is a partnership between Apple and Michigan State University that is supported by the Gilbert Family Foundation. The 10-month program teaches critical business and app development skills and prepares students for careers in the growing app economy. In June 2023, the academy celebrated its second graduating cohort, with plenty more graduating classes to come. Photograph by Derrick L. Turner.

01 / 10

MSU Economic ImpactMSU Leadership and ImpactMSU Community EngagementMSU Economic Impact

Latest News

MSUToday Weekly Update

The MSUToday Weekly Update email showcases how Spartans are making a difference through academic excellence, research impact and community outreach. Get inspired by these stories of innovation, collaboration and determination. Plus, enjoy photos and videos of campus and more MSU content to help keep you connected to the Spartan community.

Sign UpUpdate My Information

Connect With Us

Visit our Facebook pageVisit our page on XVisit our Instagram pageVisit our LinkedIn pageVisit our YouTube pageVisit our TikTok page

Health and Safety

  • MSU Police and Public Safety
  • Olin Health Center
  • Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
  • University Health and Wellbeing
  • MSU Health Care
  • Civil Rights and Title IX
  • Our Commitment
  • Center for Survivors
  • Security & Fire Safety Report
  • University Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation
  • Health Care Non-Discrimination Notice

Support Services

  • Disability Resources
  • Supportive Services
  • Learning Resources

Working at MSU

  • Human Resources
  • EBS Login
  • Job Postings
  • Employee Assistance Program

Reports

  • CARES Act Funding
  • Student Achievement and Outcomes

Contact us

517-355-1855

Address

Michigan State University 426 Auditorium Road East Lansing, MI 48824

Follow Us

  • Visit our Facebook page
  • Visit our page on X
  • Visit our Instagram page
  • Visit our TikTok page
  • Visit our LinkedIn page
  • Visit our YouTube page

If you're having accessibility issues, please let us know.

Know More: Campus Safety Information and ResourcesTransparency Reporting: Budget & Salary/Compensation
  • Contact Information|
  • Site Map|
  • Privacy Statement|
  • Site Accessibility|
  • Call MSU: (517) 355-1855|
  • Visit: msu.edu|
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination|

SPARTANS WILL|© Michigan State University|