While you were gone

Campus may quiet down after spring semester, but Michigan State has been anything but sleepy. From leadership changes to historic anniversaries, groundbreaking research and even a cattle “moo-ve,” Spartans were busy shaping the future. Here’s your catch-up guide to the biggest stories of the summer.

Leadership transitions
Summer brought significant shifts at the top. Laura Lee McIntyre officially stepped in as MSU’s new provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, sharing a video greeting with the campus community and setting the stage for her leadership.

In athletics, President Kevin M. Guskiewicz named J Batt as MSU’s next vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. Batt brings a strong record of innovation and fundraising success from his tenure at Georgia Tech.

MSU also welcomed Dr. James Hintz as the new vice president for Student Affairs. Hintz comes from the University of Illinois with a strong track record in student success, inclusion, and wellbeing — and will oversee key facilities like the MSU Union, Multicultural Center, and Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Other leadership changes included Patricia Martinez being named associate vice president for Residential and Hospitality Services and Thomas Stubblefield being approved as the next dean of the College of Arts and Letters.

Financial challenges and strategic refresh
MSU’s budget has been front and center. President Guskiewicz updated the campus community on the university’s financial health, outlining reductions of roughly 9% across units over the next two years while emphasizing the university’s commitment to protecting the student experience.

At the same time, MSU introduced a refreshed strategic plan: MSU 2030: Excellence for Global Impact. The updated plan weaves in priorities around access, opportunity and excellence while keeping its sights on ambitious goals such as reaching $1 billion in annual research expenditures.

Fundraising Milestone

Spartans showed extraordinary generosity this year. MSU raised a record $380.1 million in fiscal year 2025, with more than 65,000 donors fueling research, scholarships, and programs across the university. The momentum carries into the public phase of Uncommon Will. Far Better World., MSU’s bold $4 billion campaign to propel the institution into its next chapter.

Research, recognition and big wins
MSU scholars made headlines across disciplines. Three faculty — Christoph Benning, Jianguo “Jack” Liu and Philip Robertson — were elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, marking a milestone for Spartan research.

The College of Law’s moot court team again claimed the No. 1 ranking in the nation, while Broad College Professor Frederick Morgeson’s journal, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, earned the title of most highly-cited journal in its ranking category.

Meanwhile, MSU launched a new Apple Manufacturing Academy in partnership with Apple, aimed at equipping Michigan businesses with smart manufacturing and AI tools. And the MSU Dairy Store gave us something sweet to cheer about, sweeping the American Dairy Science Association’s national ice cream competition with winning flavors Spartan Swirl and Beaumont Brownie Bliss.

Campus transformations
When traversing campus this fall, you’ll notice a lot of construction. Crews spent the summer upgrading roads, utilities and parking facilities across the East Lansing campus. The biggest “moo-ve” however, came when the MSU dairy herd walked themselves into the brand-new $75 million Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center, a facility poised to triple capacity and modernize dairy research.

Celebrations and milestones
This summer marked some big anniversaries. The MSU Union turned 100, with Spartans celebrating with ice cream, Bronze Sparty photo ops and a look back at a century of student life. The iconic Spartan statue turned 80, still standing guard as a symbol of pride.

MSU also marked the fifth year of its Juneteenth Commemorative Celebration, blending art, music and reflection on Black excellence. And the African Studies Center reached its 65th anniversary, commemorated with a series of exhibitions at the Broad Art Museum, the MSU Museum and MSU Libraries.

Spartans in the spotlight
On the national stage, MSU hockey’s Head Coach Adam Nightingale and forward Isaac Howard helped Team USA capture gold at the IIHF World Championship. Michael Dease, esteemed jazz trombone professor, earned a Guggenheim Fellowship, joining the centennial class of awardees.

Closer to home, the MSU Research Foundation pledged $75 million toward the university’s Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign, and faculty received honors ranging from Humboldt Research Awards to national fellowships across multiple disciplines.

Saying farewell
The community also said goodbye to influential Spartans. Dolores Wharton, a pioneering advocate and former first lady of MSU, passed away in June. Longtime psychology professor and social justice champion Lee June retired after 52 years, leaving a legacy of mentorship and change. And the university honored the service of more than 1,000 staff members at its annual Milestone and Retirement Recognition Ceremony.

Looking ahead
The summer wrapped with a forward-looking note: the final design for the permanent Feb. 13 memorial was approved, ensuring a lasting place of reflection on campus. Meanwhile, construction barrels are clearing, students are back and fall semester energy is in full swing.