As we prepare to celebrate the class of 2024 at spring commencement, we can’t help but reminisce on the marks that graduating classes have made on campus over our 169-year history. From the iconic Rock to essential donations and endowments, senior class gifts have shaped our campus in surprising ways, making it a better place for future generations of Spartans. In this special edition of the Week in Photos, we look at some of the iconic class gifts that can be found across MSU’s campus.
Since MSU’s first class gift 151 years ago, class after class of graduating students has sought to make MSU an even better place than it was when they arrived. While gifts in the past few decades have trended more toward donations that support meaningful causes, these contributions still have a lasting impact on the Spartan community. By contributing to the Senior Class Campaign Fund, graduating students can fund scholarships, support Spartans in need and continue to contribute to the colleges and programs they care about. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Contributed by the class of 1873 as the first class gift in MSU’s history, the Rock has become an icon and touchstone that each succeeding class has left an impact on. Though the current tradition for students is to paint the Rock as a kind of billboard for campus groups, events, messages and memorials, previous generations of students knew it as “the engagement rock,” where couples would sit on the attached bench together to commemorate the new chapter of their relationship. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Originally located near Beaumont Tower, the Rock was moved to its current home outside the MSU Auditorium once painting it became a more popular tradition. When a piece fell off recently, hundreds of layers of paint were revealed, becoming a geological-like artifact of Spartan expression. Photo by Brennan Mahokey.
The gift presented by the first graduating class of the 20th century serves as an interesting reminder of how much campus, as well as our lives, can change in 124 years. A stone drinking fountain, presented by the class of 1900, offered a cool place for students — and horses — to refresh themselves. When the fountain was erected, a walking path existed on one side for pedestrians and the side facing the main road, where the sidewalk is now, had a water trough for horses. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Though the class of 1937’s gift no longer stands, the band shell, an open-air amphitheater, was one of the physically largest class gifts to ever exist on campus. Until 1960, when Bessey Hall was built in its place to add much-needed classrooms, the band shell hosted commencements, pep rallies, concerts and speakers. Today, a marker stands near the entrance to the bygone beloved venue. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Often going unnoticed by passersby, the class of 1938’s gift welcomes all who come to campus via the Abbot Road entrance. Created by artist Samuel Cashwan, whose work can be found in a handful of building entrances and sculptures around campus, the Abbot Road marker depicts a man, woman, horse and sheaf of wheat, invoking themes surrounding the agricultural origin of MSU. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Utilizing Cashwan’s unique art deco style, the class of 1939 tasked the artist once more with creating a pair of sculptures to decorate the now-demolished band shell, consisting of groups of artists playing musical instruments. One of these sculptures, “The Three Musicians,” now resides outside Adams Field. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
A culmination of two class gifts, the fountains outside the MSU Main Library provide a peaceful place to relax and study. The fountains were originally given by the class of 1968, and renovations courtesy of the class of 1983 have kept the fountains a cool oasis for all to enjoy. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Gifted by the class of 1978, the bronze “S” in front of Hannah Administration Building provides a subtle Spartan detail for sharp-eyed visitors to notice. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Commemorating one of MSU’s most impactful leaders, a bust of former MSU President John Hannah, appropriately located in the Hannah Administration Building, was commissioned as a gift from the class of 1980. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Though Summer Circle Theatre has presented free, high-quality productions to the campus community each summer since 1960, the class of 1981 created bleachers and a permanent home for the performance series outside of Kresge Art Center. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
While today Beaumont Tower’s majestic bells can be heard clearly across campus, in 1989, rust had caused the iconic carillon to fall silent. Hoping to bring the chiming of the bells back for future generations of Spartans, the class of 1989 pledged $128,000 to restore the bells as their class gift. Photo by Harley J. Seeley.
Supporting the world’s coolest, strongest and overall best mascot, the class of 2012 chose to raise funds to support the Sparty Mascot Program, making sure that Sparty and his squad are able to attend events on campus and around the country. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Since MSU’s first class gift 151 years ago, class after class of graduating students has sought to make MSU an even better place than it was when they arrived. While gifts in the past few decades have trended more toward donations that support meaningful causes, these contributions still have a lasting impact on the Spartan community. By contributing to the Senior Class Campaign Fund, graduating students can fund scholarships, support Spartans in need and continue to contribute to the colleges and programs they care about. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Contributed by the class of 1873 as the first class gift in MSU’s history, the Rock has become an icon and touchstone that each succeeding class has left an impact on. Though the current tradition for students is to paint the Rock as a kind of billboard for campus groups, events, messages and memorials, previous generations of students knew it as “the engagement rock,” where couples would sit on the attached bench together to commemorate the new chapter of their relationship. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
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