As Michigan State University prepares for Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, this holiday is culturally significant for many Latine and Hispanic communities. This year, returning and new organizations will participate in ofrendas, or altars. These spaces will allow students, staff and community members to bring items to share and honor those who have passed.
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Latin America on November 1st and 2nd. Communities and families gather in joy and remembrance of loved ones who have passed and welcome back their spirits.
During Dia de los Muertos, parades and festivities happen, and families and communities as well create altars known as ofrendas in their homes or community space, allowing those who had someone pass to bring photographs, foods, belongings and artwork to fill the colorful altars.
One key part of Dia de los Muertos is with marigolds because of the significant meaning of their strong scent, which is thought to provide spirits a pathway back to their families. Additionally, you will often see marigolds used for ofrendas, crowns, bouquets and at cemeteries laid out to show a pathway between worlds.
This year, Michigan State University will host a dozen different locations of altars from different colleges, programs and organizations, from the College of Business to MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services.
In addition to participating in ofrendas, students, staff, and community members can also attend a variety of events being hosted by different organization groups beginning Tuesday, October 29, to Sunday, November 3rd. These events will consist of traditional food celebrations, performances, sugar skulls and craft workshops.
Altars will be set up until Nov. 15, allowing anyone in the MSU community to participate in this important tradition.
Campus ofrenda locations
This list will be updated as more locations are added.
Agriculture Hall
Dean’s Office, Room 102
The college of Agriculture and Natural Resources features a community ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos open to students’ staff and community members to bring belongings and photos of loved ones to honor them.
Chittenden Hall
Room 110
The MSU Graduate School will host a community ofrenda where anyone can bring a picture to remember a loved one.
Celebration event on Oct. 30 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
College of Law
John F. Schaeffer Law Library
Community ofrenda with the College of Law and the Latinos Unidos Law Student Association, or LULSA, to honor loved ones who have passed. This is LULSA’s first ofrenda that will be standing for two weeks.
College of Veterinary Medicine
Front entrance
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and students from the Latinx Veterinary Medical Association are hosting a pet ofrenda where community members can add a picture of a departed pet they wish to remember and honor.
Eustace-Cole Hall
Honors College
The Honors College ofrenda features an altar to honor and remember loved ones.
Holden Hall
Migrant Student Services, Room C249
This location will host a community ofrenda by Mujer a Mujer at the Migrant Student Services office with a focus on dedicating it to migrant farmworkers and women.
There will be a celebration event hosted on Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
International Center
Office for International Students and Scholars
This location is hosted by the Office for International Students and Scholars and the student organization La Comunidad Latinoamericana. It features a community ofrenda where participants can add a photo.
Coffee hour and pan de muerto gathering is on Nov. 1, 4 to 6 p.m.
Main Library
First floor César Chávez Collection
The MSU Library ofrenda highlights labor leader and civil rights activist César Chávez and Michigan's migrant farmworker activists and those who lost life in the fields.
Natural Science Building
DEI Office, Room 154
The College of Natural Science is hosting a community ofrenda in honor of those that have departed.
Olds Hall
Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Room 113
The community ofrenda welcomes anyone to bring photos and belongings of loved ones to honor them.
Olin Health Center
Counseling and Psychiatric Services, 3rd floor
CAPS encourages visiting students to interact with ofrendas by viewing or leaving a note of words for their loved ones, celebrating the life they lived.
South Kedzie Hall
Chicano/Latino Studies, Room 200
The Chicano/Latino Studies altar features pictures in honor and remembrance of loved ones that have passed.
Open house Oct. 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Dia de los Muertos events at MSU
All events are listed in Eastern Time.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
12 to 1:15 p.m.
Latino Law Society: Lunch event in the College of Law, Castle Boardroom, Room 343
2 to 4 p.m.
College of Engineering: Dia de los Muertos sugar skull decorating. Discover the culture of Dia de los Muertos and paint your calvera (skull) for the ofrenda in Room 1109, in the Engineering Building lobby.
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Residential College of Arts and Humanities: Community ofrenda and papel picado workshop at Snyder Phillips, LookOut Gallery.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Chicano/Latino Studies: Open house, South Kedzie Hall, Room 200
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Graduate School: Dia de los Muertos celebration, featuring activities, food, hot chocolate, crafts, and more in Chittenden Hall, Room 110.
Friday, Nov. 1
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mujer a Mujer and Migrant Student Services: Dia de los Muertos celebration with community ofrenda, including food, music and more in Holden Hall, Room 249.
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Office for International Students and Scholars x La Comunidad Latinoamericana: Dia de los Muertos coffee hour and pan de muerto served at the Internation Center, Spartan Rooms B and C.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
University Activity Board and Culturas de la Raza Unidas: Dia de los Muertos celebration featuring student performances, food, crafts and more! At MSU Union Ballroom.
Saturday, Nov. 2
1 to 3 p.m.
Timetzalimet: Dia de los Muertos Ceremony, feast and ofrenda at Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center.
Sunday, Nov. 3
12 to 3 p.m.
International Engagement to Mexico: Candles and Calaca’s 5k Fun Run/Walk at the Hubbard and Akers Hall courtyard, with an open community ofrenda table at the end of the race.