MSU celebrates Día de los Muertos across campus
Across Michigan State University’s campus, student organizations, colleges and units are partaking in Day of the Dead festivities with a variety of events and community ofrendas
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is dedicated to honoring loved ones who have passed away. Traditionally celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 throughout Latin America, home altars are built featuring ofrendas, or offerings. Offerings include anything from the loved one’s favorite food and beverages to marigold flowers, sugar skulls and anything that holds sentimental value.
Marigolds are used to attract souls to the altar and papel picado, or paper cutouts, represent the movement of visiting souls. Día de los Muertos is a time for families to celebrate, honor and share a meal with their departed loved ones. In places where it is traditionally celebrated, Día de los Muertos is full of festivities with street parades, dances and other forms of celebration.
A centerpiece event during this year’s Day of the Dead celebrations is the International Engagement Volunteers’, or IEV’s, annual Candles and Calacas 5K Fun Run/Walk fundraiser. IEV organizes a variety of fundraisers throughout the year dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of disadvantaged communities in Mexico through the International Engagement in Mexico, or IEM, education abroad program held each spring break.
Another key event, hosted by the University Activities Board and Culturas de las Razas Unidas, or CRU, invites the Spartan community to celebrate Día de los Muertos through an evening full of authentic Mexican food, live cultural performances, the opportunity to create themed crafts, free goodies and a collaborative community ofrenda.
For those looking to connect with faculty and staff, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum will host a community mixer in the Alan and Rebecca Ross Education Wing featuring a meet and greet with special guest Cristián Doña-Reveco, director of the Julian Samora Research Institute, an opportunity to network and to view the art museum’s ofrenda.
Across campus, unique altars are popping up in preparation for Día de los Muertos. To learn more about the different ways the Spartan community is celebrating, see the ofrenda locations and event list below.
Campus ofrenda locations
This list will be updated as locations are added.
Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum
Museum lobby
An ofrenda created in collaboration with the Consulado de Mexico.
Broad College of Business
Broad Engagement Center
This ofrenda is hosted by the Broad College of Business and Multicultural Business Programs.
College of Arts and Letters and La Casa
Snyder Hall, Room C210
The La Casa Living and Learning Community is creating an ofrenda for display in Snyder Hall.
College of Education
Erickson Hall, Room 133F
Hosted by the College of Education, this community ofrenda features departed educators and mentors, to which anyone can add a picture.
College of Human Medicine and Latino Medical Student Association
Secchia Center Atrium and Radiology Basement
The College of Human Medicine and Latino Medical Student Association is hosting an ofrenda.
College of Music
Music Building, Billman Pavilion Lobby
The College of Music is hosting a community ofrenda in the Music Building.
College of Veterinary Medicine and Latinx Veterinary Medical Association
Veterinary Medical Center, front entrance
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and students from the Latinx Veterinary Medical Association are hosting a community ofrenda.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services
Olin Health Center, third floor
A community ofrenda hosted by Counseling and Psychiatric Services will not be open to the public to protect the confidentiality of students entering CAPS but will be accessible to those visiting for services.
Farmworker Student Services
Holden Hall
This location hosts two different altars, one by Farmworker Student Services in C249, the other by Mujer a Mujer in C135.
Gender and Sexuality Campus Center
Student Services Building, Room 302
The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center’s ofrenda honors transgender and gender nonconforming Latines lost to violence in the past year.
Graduate School
Chittenden Hall
The MSU Graduate School hosts this location, featuring a community ofrenda where anyone can add a picture in honor and remembrance of a loved one.
Honors College
Campbell Hall
A community ofrenda with provided materials and decorations. Drop in to add your own pictures of passed loved ones and leave their favorite snacks, candies or other mementos.
Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact
Olds Hall, first floor
The Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact is featuring an ofrenda honoring activists who have impacted IEI staff members.
Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy
Multicultural Center, Living Room
Join the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy at the Multicultural Center for a meaningful week of remembrance, cultural celebration and community connection.
Day of the Dead events
All events are listed in Eastern time. To add an event, email sileriog@msu.edu.
Tuesday, Oct. 21
3 p.m. — Frame Painting and Pan Dulce
Join Farmworker Student Services for frame painting, pan dulce and good music.
Thursday, Oct. 22
3 p.m. — Día de los Muertos Workshop
Join the Bailey Scholar Program for a sugar skull and ofrenda building workshop.
Thursday, Oct. 29
3 p.m. — Día de los Muertos with MSU Graduate School
Join MSU Graduate School in Chittenden Hall for walking tacos, crafts, music, a folklorico performance, conchas, pan de muerto and coffee.
3 p.m. — Creating your own Altar with the College of Education
Join in Erickson Hall 133F to create a cajita — small altars that honor and remember loved ones, ancestors and cultural traditions. No artistic experience is necessary; participants will receive materials and guidance throughout the activity.
6 p.m. — Día de los Muertos Workshop
Join MSU Mujer a Mujer in Holden Hall C135 for a frame painting activity, food and great company.
Friday, Oct. 30
1 p.m. — Día de los Muertos Celebration
Join the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy in the Multicultural Center Living Room for a special edition of OMEA Friday celebrating Latine culture, food and to learn more about the significance of this holiday.
4 p.m. — Coffee Hour: Día de los Muertos
Enjoy coffee with the Office for International Students and Scholars and La Comunidad Latinoamericana in the International Center Spartan Rooms.
Sunday, Nov. 1
Noon — Candles and Calacas Día de los Muertos 5K Fun Run/Walk
This friendly fun run/walk will support service-learning projects carried out by Michigan State University students through International Engagement Volunteers. Register on RunSignUp.
5 p.m. — Día de los Muertos with CRU
Join University Activities Board and CRU in the MSU Union Ballroom for performances, food, crafts and more.
Monday, Nov. 2
5 p.m. — Día de los Muertos Community Mixer
Close out this year’s festivities with an MSU Faculty and Staff Meet and Greet, with special guest Cristían Doña-Reveco, director of the Julian Samora Research Institute, and the Consulado de Mexico. An opportunity for all Spartans, including students, to network and view the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum ofrenda.