During the last Board of Trustees meeting for the 2024 calendar year, outgoing Board Chair Dan Kelly and Trustee Dianne Byrum were each honored for their service, dedication and leadership to the MSU community.

Chair Kelly has served on the board since 2017. Prior to being selected as chair of the board in March 2024, he served as vice chair since January 2019. During his term, Kelly was MSU’s representative on the MSU-Henry Ford Health steering committee, two presidential search committees and the steering committee that supported President Guskiewicz’s transition as the university’s 22nd president. Kelly also served as the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee chair, overseeing and leading efforts to improve MSU’s governance and accountability efforts. 

Trustee Byrum has served on the board since 2008 and served as board chair from 2017-21. Throughout her tenure, Byrum consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the university’s mission, students, faculty and staff. With a degree in agricultural economics from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, she has been a dedicated supporter of the college, including the recent groundbreaking of the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Facility. Byrum also served as co-director of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at MSU, an initiative that trains emerging public policy leaders for the challenges of tomorrow. Byrum was named one of Michigan’s top 100 most influential women by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2021.

“Trustees Kelly and Byrum exemplify what it means to be dedicated to public service,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “Their contributions and steadfast leadership through times of triumph and adversity exude their authentic commitment to this great university. I am deeply grateful for their service and look forward to their continued engagement with our Spartan community.”

Under Article 4 of the Board of Trustees bylaws regarding officers and organization of the board, the next chair and vice chair of the board will be based on seniority, putting Trustee Kelly Tebay and Trustee Brianna Scott in those respective positions. They begin their new roles Jan. 1, 2025.

“It is an honor to serve as chair, and I am deeply committed to advancing MSU’s mission of excellence in education, research and community impact,” said Tebay. “As we look ahead, I am excited to work collaboratively with my fellow trustees, President Guskiewicz and the broader Spartan community to ensure that MSU continues to lead, innovate and inspire.”

Spartan Stadium renovations

During Friday’s meeting, trustees approved a resolution that will provide necessary upgrades and modernize Spartan Stadium.

The stadium’s three video boards will be replaced, as all three are beyond their useful lifespan. The project is expected to begin in early January and be completed in time for the start of the fall 2025 football season.

Additionally, the stadium’s suites on floors four, seven and eight will be renovated to provide modern ADA-compliant restroom facilities and include updates to seating, flooring and concessions. The updates will improve the overall usability of the space while also ensuring the facilities continue to support the university and athletics’ philanthropic efforts.

In the longer term, the university will begin planning efforts for a phased approach to modernizing the stadium, one of MSU’s most recognizable landmarks. This modernization includes upgrades and repairs to structural and building systems, enhanced safety and security measures, improved seating, concourses, concessions, restrooms and other improvements leading to changes that will improve the overall fan experience.

“For more than 100 years, Spartan Stadium has been a gathering place for the Michigan State community,” said MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller. “Today’s action by the board is a step towards ensuring that it remains a constant for the next 100 years. Fans will benefit from the upgrades as soon as next season, as the video boards are key to continuing to provide an enjoyable gameday experience for all in attendance. The improvements in the West Tower, the first major upgrades since opening in 2005, will provide a modern space for both Athletics and the university to host events, donors and dignitaries. The approval to plan for Spartan Stadium modernization demonstrates the commitment of the board and administration to supporting the football program. This is an exciting period of reimagining what is possible for the future. Not only will a new East Tower dramatically change the look and feel of the stadium, providing new seating options and an improved experience for fans, it’s also an opportunity to develop a space in the heart of campus that could advance the university’s academic, research and outreach missions.”

Investment policy

The Board of Trustees also approved a newly revised investment policy. Among the changes, the board committed to implementing a university committee comprised of students, faculty and staff, appointed by the president, to hear concerns regarding particular investments. This process will serve as the formal mechanism for how divestment requests are considered. As the ultimate fiduciary for the university’s financial assets, the Board of Trustees will retain purview of any decisions regarding divestment or exclusion of any investment for nonfinancial reasons. The committee will be established within the next year.

After eight years of strong investment performance, the newly revised investment policy raises the annual spending rate from the endowment from 4.4% to 4.8%. The policy also provides for more robust language regarding conflicts of interest in the university’s investment program, among other changes.

Research presentation

Trustees received research presentations during Friday’s meeting from the College of Music’s Rodney Whitaker, University Distinguished Professor of Jazz Bass and director of Jazz Studies, and Carmen Bradford, associate professor of jazz voice. Whitaker’s presentation examined the power of mentorship and how the philosophy “each one teach one” guides his work. Bradford’s presentation focused on how jazz musician Count Basie took her under his wing and helped shape her career as a performer.

Other agenda items

The board approved several other requests during the meeting, including:

• authorization to purchase property in support of the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center;
• a fund functioning as an endowment, or FFE, for the Spartan Marching Band;
• an FFE for the Extension Farm Stress Project within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting is Feb. 7, 2025.