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

Oct. 28, 2024

The Spartan Bus Tour photo gallery

By: Alex Tekip, Jennifer Trenkamp, Sydney Hawkins

The inaugural Spartan Bus Tour took place from Oct. 21-23. President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., and a group of faculty and administrators visited locations throughout the western Lower Peninsula of Michigan to build community connections and strengthen MSU’s commitment to education, research, outreach and extension. Take a look at some of the trip’s highlights, made even more special by the fantastic weather and brilliant fall colors that marked each stop.

For more information on the tour, check out: Michigan State University’s inaugural Spartan Bus Tour "brings MSU to Michigan," Podcast: Inaugural Spartan Bus Tour highlights MSU’s statewide impact, Impactful, enriching, rewarding: 8 takeaways from the inaugural Spartan Bus Tour and Faculty voice: Reflections on the Spartan Bus Tour.

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe?s Onion Creek Singers play a traditional drum song in front of members of the Spartan Bus Tour.
A drone image of the Spartan Bus Tour bus driving in front of Cowles House on MSU's campus set against a fall sunset.
A green Michigan State University wordmark and Spartan helmet logo at the top of a silver building.
A tractor pulls a wagon filled with people across a dirt road.
Individuals stand outside on grass with fields in the background.
A group of people, and Sparty the mascot, pose in front of the Spartan Bus Tour bus at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
A group of people pose within an apple orchard.
People pose in front of the Spartan Bus Tour bus.
A group of people stand outside at MSU?s Camp Wa Wa Sum, a 144-year-old classic log cabin conference and research center located on the Au Sable River.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe?s Onion Creek Singers play a traditional drum song in front of members of the Spartan Bus Tour.
A drone image of the Spartan Bus Tour bus driving in front of Cowles House on MSU's campus set against a fall sunset.
The Spartan Bus Tour made its first official stop at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways in Mt. Pleasant. President Guskiewicz became the first MSU president to meet with a tribal chief on Anishinabe land to offer a living  land acknowledgement. Here, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Onion Creek Singers play a traditional drum song in front of members of the bus tour. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
After a busy, enriching three days of touring parts of Michigan and learning more about MSU’s impact on the state, the Spartan Bus Tour made its way back to the banks of the Red Cedar. Of the trip, President Guskiewicz said: “It was special, and we accomplished exactly what we set out to do. This was our first Spartan Bus Tour, and I believe everyone is going to get off this bus and become even more passionate ambassadors for MSU. My hope is that we can get even more of our Spartan community on this bus next year.” Photo by Garret Morgan.
After visiting Muskegon Public Schools, the tour met with PFAS researcher and Assistant Professor Courtney Carignan in Rockford before stopping at the Grand Rapids Innovation Park along the “Medical Mile.” The park houses the MSU Grand Rapids Research Center, the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building and Perrigo’s North American corporate headquarters. Photo by Garret Morgan.
Day 2, Oct. 22, began with a visit to the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center, a 137-acre site, which is one of 15 MSU research stations located throughout the state. Nikki Rothwell, who has been an MSU Extension specialist and coordinator of the center for more than 20 years, greeted the group. Photo by Nick Schrader.
The bus stopped at furniture maker MillerKnoll’s headquarters in Zeeland before making its final stop of the trip: W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners. There, participants heard from KBS Interim Director Jeff Conner about the station’s mission to take research and apply it to real human problems “like sustainable agriculture, conservation and restoration.” Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Members of the trip met the morning of Oct. 21 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center before they headed out on the bus tour. But first: A photo with Sparty to commemorate the journey. Photo by Garret Morgan.
After the research center, the group enjoyed visits at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club and Ludington State Park before the tour made its final stop at Martinez Farm, an apple orchard based in Conklin. Martinez Farm has partnered with MSU on programs like Great Lakes Latina/o Farmers Program and La Cosecha to address the challenges faced by farmworkers and farm owners. Photo by Nick Schrader.
The final day of the tour, Oct. 23, began with a stop at Muskegon Public Schools. There, along with MSU Trustee Brianna Scott, tour participants heard firsthand experiences from students about their participation in MSU precollege programs. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
After visits to M&R Pickling, an Amish family-owned canning company in Le Roy, and Camp Grayling, the largest U.S. National Guard training facility in the United States, the tour made its final stop of the day at MSU’s Camp Wa Wa Sum, a 144-year-old classic log cabin conference and research center located on the Au Sable River. Photo by Nick Schrader.
The Spartan Bus Tour made its first official stop at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways in Mt. Pleasant. President Guskiewicz became the first MSU president to meet with a tribal chief on Anishinabe land to offer a living  land acknowledgement. Here, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Onion Creek Singers play a traditional drum song in front of members of the bus tour. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
After a busy, enriching three days of touring parts of Michigan and learning more about MSU’s impact on the state, the Spartan Bus Tour made its way back to the banks of the Red Cedar. Of the trip, President Guskiewicz said: “It was special, and we accomplished exactly what we set out to do. This was our first Spartan Bus Tour, and I believe everyone is going to get off this bus and become even more passionate ambassadors for MSU. My hope is that we can get even more of our Spartan community on this bus next year.” Photo by Garret Morgan.

01 / 09

MEDIA CONTACTS

Sydney Hawkins

Collection

more content from this collection

The Week in Photos

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|