The newest class of Spartans filled the Breslin Student Events Center for the 2024 New Student Kick-Off to officially launch Fall Welcome and the 2024-25 academic year.

MSU welcomed around 11,000 first-year and transfer students on Wednesday, Aug. 21, during the New Student Kick-Off and Fall Welcome Convocation. The exciting and high-energy event united new students, faculty and staff to celebrate the start of their journey at MSU.

President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Jeitschko, and other MSU student leaders, deans, faculty, staff and dignitaries greeted students as they prepare for unique experiences, activities and academic pursuits. The event highlighted important elements and information for Fall Welcome and for their transition into university life, emphasized academics and tradition, and celebrated their arrival to campus.

“From where I stand right now, I see thousands of individuals coming together from all over Michigan, across the nation and from across the globe,” Guskiewicz said. “Each of you brings to this amazing community of scholars your unique backgrounds, gifts and voices, and a shared dedication to growth and transformation. Each of you has much to contribute to the character of this university and beyond. Let’s all agree to make this the best and most caring campus that it can be. A place of respect and support for one another.”

The New Student Kick-Off is woven into an extensive lineup of activities, programs, services and events for Fall Welcome, which is presented by MSU Federal Credit Union. Organized by the Office of Spartan Experiences in the Division of Student Life & Engagement, Fall Welcome helps new students effectively navigate campus life and engage with diverse audiences.

The annual fall convocation features an assembly of college deans and university leaders to celebrate the start of the new academic year. The historically morning event was shifted to the evening to accommodate the thousands of new students moving onto campus earlier in the day and week. It also comes before New Student Orientation programming concluded on Friday.

In addition to university leaders, the Spartan Marching Band, MSU Cheerleading and Dance Teams, MSU Drumline, the Spartan Dischords a capella group and Sparty joined in the celebration to welcome new students.

The event officially began with the finish of the Spartan Flag Relay. Introduced this year, the symbolic Spartan Flag Relay saw MSU athletic ambassadors, Olympians and New Student Orientation student leaders running an MSU flag through the city of East Lansing and the MSU campus, and concluding with Sparty running the flag to the stage at the New Student Kick-Off where Guskiewicz planted it to mark the start of their academic career.

Guskiewicz, Jeitschko and the other speakers all shared messages of hope, anticipation and excitement with students, as well as the conviction and belief that every student gathered at the Breslin Center, and all students admitted to MSU, can and will succeed. Jeitschko encouraged students to discover a sense of purpose, find their personal bests and take advantage of Fall Welcome events and other resources to get acclimated to MSU.

“Tonight, we celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in your lives – a chapter filled with opportunities for learning, for growth and for community,” Jeitschko said. “During your time here at MSU, you’ll learn from an outstanding group of educators and scholars who foster discovery and innovation in ways that advance knowledge and transform lives. Their drive and dedication continue to propel Michigan State University forward and upward to reach new and even greater heights.”

Guskiewicz, who officially started as MSU’s president on March 4, shares one thing in common with the class of 2028: this is also his first full year at MSU.

While taking the stage to the hit song “Best Day of My Life” by the American Authors, Guskiewicz said he recognized that while uprooting and starting a new career and a new life might be tough, he said he knows the new students will succeed at MSU.

“At a place like Michigan State University, any day could be the best day of your life,” he said. “I truly believe that you are going to find some of those incredible, best days of your life while you’re here in East Lansing.”

Other Fall Welcome activities and resources can be found at fallwelcome.msu.edu.