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      NIH awards multi-university team over $4M to improve women’s health

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Collections

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  • Turfgrass
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  • Mobility
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  • Graduate voices
  • Faculty voices
  • View All Collections

Featured

Editor's picks

  • 9 reasons to love being a Spartan

    Aug. 28, 2026

    9 reasons to love being a Spartan

  • NIH awards multi-university team over $4M to improve women’s health

    Sept. 15, 2026

    NIH awards multi-university team over $4M to improve women’s health

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Student Life

April 24, 2024

Congratulations, class of 2024

Spartans make a difference in Michigan and beyond

By: Ellen Doepke, Kelsie Lane, May Napora, Anthony Siciliano, Nick Schrader, Jacob Templin-Fulton, Jennifer Trenkamp

April 24, 2024

 


Each year, Michigan State University educates more than 50,000 students, with 78% of them from the state of Michigan. And each year, the university hosts commencement ceremonies at the end of the fall and spring semesters to celebrate new beginnings for Spartans graduates.

This weekend, spring commencement ceremonies begin for more than 10,000 Spartans.

For many graduates, the tradition of proudly displaying their areas of study or an inspirational quote on their green mortarboards lets others know the important and lasting connection they have to this place. Complementing their green gowns and colorful cords and tassels, these caps symbolize transformational journeys on the banks of the Red Cedar.

But when students walk off the stage, the Spartan journey doesn’t end.

Alumni take their green and white with them into the careers they’ve prepared for, whether they are among the more than 281,000 Spartans who continue making an impact in the state of Michigan or are part of the half million who make a difference across the globe.

They share their Spartans Will. through flags on classroom walls, Spartan helmets sewn on scrub caps, MSU pennants tacked to their bulletin boards or Sparty masks playfully on display at their veterinary clinics, and in so many other ways.

Because no matter where Spartans go or what they do, they work toward creating a better tomorrow for all.

Spartan alumni making a difference

Roschenne Parmalee in Spartan hoodie

Roschenne Parmalee
Psychology, 1989
School counselor, Workman Elementary School

Patricia McCabe in papier-mache Sparty mask while working as a vet

“This is a photo of ‘Sparty’ DVM at work at Canadensis Veterinary Clinic. The mask was given to me as a gift. It was made in Switzerland by an artisan who makes Fasnacht masks. My brother Bernie, who lives in Switzerland, had it made for me because I am a die-hard Spartan fan.”
Patricia MacCabe
Veterinary Medicine, 1985 and 1990
Veterinarian, Canadensis Veterinary Clinic Inc.

Thomas Watts and other pilot with MSU flag in front of airplane

“My deployment to Afghanistan in 2012 (with fellow MSU alumnus Justin Puro).”
Thomas J. Watts
Osteopathic Medicine, 1993
South Carolina Air National Guard

Graduation cap with text Spartan of Change and foil butterflies
Ed Boudreau in MSU-themed scrub cap

Ed Boudreau
Osteopathic Medicine, 1977
Chief medical officer, Keefe Memorial Health Service District

Reba Bloom in Spartan shirt

“I proudly display my diploma in my office along with a hockey puck souvenir from one of my trips to campus. For March Madness our station designated a College Colors Day. Of course I represented well. I even had Izzo socks on. Go Green!”
Reba Bloom
Telecommunication, 1997
Production manager, 13 News Now

Maggie Scheurer with elementary school students

Maggie Scheure
Education, 2006
First grade teacher, Beacon Elementary School

Graduation cap decorated with teach the change you want to see in the world
Sparty with Margie Aimery

Margie J. Aimery
Social Science, 2021
Director of events, MSU College of Law

Matthew Williams doing dentistry in Spartan-themed scrub cap

“Spartan pride at dental school in Arizona.”
Matthew Williams
Lyman Briggs College, 2021

Melanie Brender with photos at UURAF

Melanie Brender
Social Relations and Policy;
Communication and German, 2015
Communications manager, MSU Honors College 

Five graduation caps with Spartan helmet and PKG'24 decoration
Shariff Bishai in MSU surgical helmet

“Here is my surgery helmet with MSU on the top!”
Shariff K. Bishai
Physiology, 1995; Epidemiology, 1997; Osteopathic Medicine, 2001
Detroit Orthopaedic Institute PLLC
Assistant clinical professor, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine

Carrie Fox in MSU sweatshirt

“Here is me showing my love for my Spartans while I work! MSU basketball is the best!”
Carrie Fox
Accounting, 1992
Senior manager, accounts payable, Target

Eras-tour themed graduation cap with text in my graduation era
Troy Villanueva in office with Spartan decor

“Here is my workspace in Holden Hall!” 
Troy Villanueva
Strategic Communication, 2021
Academic advisor, MSU University Advising

Doug Kelly
Secondary Education, 1989
Director of golf, City of Ann Arbor

Ruth Mott foundation employees in MSU gear

Ruth Mott Foundation group(left to right)
Elizabeth Jordan, Social Relations, 2003
Tryphena Clarke, Social Work, 2020
Kristin Longley, Journalism, 2006
Tanya Upthegrove Gregory, Communication, 2001; Executive MBA, 2014; Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education, 2024

MEDIA CONTACTS

Jennifer Trenkamp
Student LifeStudent and Campus ExperienceStudent LifeCommencement

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