MSU Today with Russ White

Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff joins Russ White on MSU Today to elaborate on topics she covers in her September 2023 Spartan Community Letter, which you can read by clicking on the communications tab at president.msu.edu.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:00) – “That’s a really tremendous number of students who are placing their educational goals and aspirations with us at Michigan State.”

(2:26) – “Any university worthy of being called great needs a rich foundation in the arts.”

(3:44) – “Dan and Jennifer and their family are great Spartans…and we’re really honored that they would invest their resources in Michigan State and Henry Ford to find a cure for neurofibromatosis.”

(4:50) – “FRIB continues to be a leader for us, and we should always remember how pivotal that is for the university and for the region.”

(5:37) – “Number 14 is extraordinary. It means that we are among the elite public educating universities in the nation.”

(7:23) – “Sometimes it’s hard to see when you’re in the middle of that inflection point that we really are on an upward trajectory and to believe it.”

(9:34) – “We’re at an inflection point for the upward trajectory of the 21st century. But we all have to be in. We all have to be part of that progress.”

(10:28) – “And when I listened to his words, I could hear the voice of every Spartan wondering, ‘Can we make it?’”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.   

This month’s State of the State podcast from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research has Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from the institute and emeritus economics professor Charley Ballard discussing the state of the national and Michigan economies, the UAW contract strike against the Big 3 automakers, and a possible government shutdown.

Keith Hampton, director of academic research at Michigan State University’s Quello Center, joins the group to discuss a new study from Michigan State University that warns that gains made to address broadband and internet connectivity in Michigan rural communities are beginning to fade.  

Conversation Highlights:

(1:27) – “One of the big stories in Michigan the last two thirds of a century is the relative shrinkage of the auto industry.”

(3:13) – “Best case scenario for Michigan is a relatively short strike with an agreement that is generous enough to the workers that it puts more money in their paychecks, which they can then spend at the grocery store and the hardware store, but not so generous that it cripples the companies going forward.”

(5:23) – “Public opinion polls show more support for organized labor then they have in the past, but they’re still in a long slide downward.”

(8:00) – “Flint is the poster child for the decline of the auto industry.”

(12:30) – “There’s a lot of theatre so far. There’s really not much support for a government shutdown, even in the Republican caucus.”

(17:04) – “Women’s earnings…the gender earnings ratio – the ratio of the earnings of the average woman to the average man – increased to an all-time high for the 10th year in a row.”

(18:45) – “Over the pandemic, we went from rural students who did not have any kind of internet access at home to cutting that to about four percent during the pandemic.”

(23:22) – “Hot spots have been a surprisingly good intervention.”

(25:16) – “Wouldn’t it be great if you could get out of high school and earn middle class wages. That was once true in Michigan 50 or 60 years ago. It isn’t true anymore.”

(27:14) – “The issue of internet insecurity and access is particularly problematic.”

(29:34) – “One place where there has been a lot of policy movement lately is in election reform. We have recently been called a blueprint for election reform nationally.”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen. 

The Michigan State University Research Foundation has been enhancing research, encouraging innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and facilitating economic development through modern commercialization practices, venture creation activity, and innovation partnerships at Michigan State University and across Michigan for 50 years.

Executive Director David Washburn reflects on the foundation’s history, mission, and impact and on challenges and opportunities ahead for the next 50 years. 

Conversation Highlights:

(2:26) – “We had flown under the radar for many decades. And when you unpack the story of the foundation, it was like ‘Holy Cow.’ There aren’t many organizations like this that exist in North America.”

(3:02) – “In the late 60s and early 70s, most public universities came to the realization that state support probably wasn’t going to be able to keep pace with the growth and expansion of public universities.”

(6:13) – “One major inflection point that happened at the foundation was the discovery of Cisplatin and Carboplatin cancer therapeutics.”

(7:08) – “Faculty researchers here at MSU discovered a cure for cancer.”

(12:07) – “Many faculty in university decided ‘Well, what if we just start new companies and go out and raise venture dollars to see if we can build up a product or service here locally with some local venture dollars?’”

(13:30) – “Our focus now at the foundation is in a couple areas. I would refer to them as more venture creation…a lot of states and municipalities are trying to figure out how to create new jobs and an innovation ecosystem. That’s the space we’re playing in a lot with Spartan Innovations.”

(15:40) – “The board approved it and we put together Red Cedar Ventures and have invested in close to 120 start-up companies. We’ve deployed close to $10 million out of Red Cedar Ventures, and those companies have gone on to raise hundreds of millions of dollars from the venture markets in the state and around the Midwest and on both coasts.”

(16:20) – “Between Michigan Rise and Red Cedar Ventures, we have close to $40 million in two robust captive venture funds.”

(18:10) – “We built a headquarters for TechSmith because they have a very robust student intern program, and over half of their employees are MSU alumni. They wanted to be closer to campus…They’re trying to compete with the Googles and Amazons of the world. And they thought if they had a cool campus, they would have a shot. I think that’s helped them.”

(18:58) – “We’re building spaces so as we start up new companies, not only do we want to help them with their business plan and early-stage funding, but we’re trying to find them a home in and around our ecosystem. We think that combination leads to economic development, job growth, and economic diversity. That’s really the place where we collaborate and help MSU.”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Michigan State University’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers is celebrating its 50th anniversary of recruiting, supporting, and retaining women in the engineering profession. 

Three Spartan Engineers discuss the evolution of women in engineering, challenges and opportunities ahead in the next 50 years, and share their advice for young women interested in STEM fields. The panel discussion includes Dayana Villagran, ’21 alum, General Motors mechanical engineer; Dr. Laura Genik, Applied Engineering Sciences Director/alum and Sara Purdue, mechanical engineering senior, actively involved in Women in Engineering.

Conversation Highlights:

(6:05) – “I think the Society of Women Engineers has done a lot to advance the community of women in engineering.”

(7:54) – “Representation is a huge thing. And if you see somebody like you, or someone who has a similar background, it can spark that possibility that you can also get there.”

(8:47) – “I think you come into an engineering program expecting to be surrounded by men.”

(10:24) – “One of the main things that has always stuck in the back of my head is that everyone has these expectations for you being a woman in engineering. If someone asks me what I’m majoring in and I say mechanical engineering, they say ‘Wow, that’s really impressive. That’s awesome of you.’ And although it comes from a good place, they’re often shocked and don’t expect it. So be prepared for that reaction but be proud of what you’re doing.”

(11:46) – “I would say the biggest thing is not to be afraid.”

(13:38) – “It has to start in the K-12 realm where you’re not discouraging women and girls from staying active in math and science.”

(15:12) – “You have to become comfortable with being uncomfortable in a situation. And when you look at engineering, sometimes you can feel like a square peg in a round hole. But the mechanical engineering solution to that is to get a bigger hammer. The square peg is going to deform, but so is the round hole. But they’re still going to come together to work.”

(16:39) – “I like to speak on my story a lot. I don’t necessarily feel like it’s my duty. I have a need to share what I’ve been through to show those people who are going through something similar that it doesn’t matter where you come from or from where you start as long as you have a passion to do something, and you’re dedicated to doing it. You are more than capable of doing that.”

(17:47) – “I think there still needs to be, unfortunately, a revolution in thinking that has to be societal.”

(19:07) – “Try to pull someone with you…I feel like if you bring somebody with you, you’ve made a difference because it’s not just you now. You have somebody beside you who you’ve helped along the way.”

(19:58) – “There is still just this overall kind of thinking that women aren’t going to be as successful in certain paths as men may be. At the end of the day, you have to be proud of where you’re at.”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff elaborates on topics she covers in her August 2023 Spartan Community Letter, which you can read by clicking on the communications tab at president.msu.edu.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:22) – “It’s an exciting time. I was at a meeting this summer, and someone was saying they’re despairing for the future. And I said I’m not because of our MSU students and their energy, drive, and determination.”

(2:19) – “The Beal Garden is my favorite place on campus. It’s a wonderful living, learning laboratory in a beautiful spot of reflection and healing.”

(4:06) – “We have been opening our doors as wide as we can to the broadest diversity of entrants to this university since its inception.”

(5:38) – “This is a place of learning and of sport. That says something about the breadth and the value and the opportunity that we have at Michigan State University.”

(6:55) – “It’s very important to me that we are ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment in celebration of athletics for those who don’t drink as well.”

(9:26) – “This is really a moment for leadership in the area of athletics to ensure that we don’t tip into a place where we’ve lost the student-athletes’ value proposition.”

(11:08) – We really want to make that message clear that the value proposition of an MSU degree is high. And the dollars you put into your degree when you complete really never amortize. They only grow.”

(12:22) – “Michigan State is really making a difference, just as our founders said, in the practical sciences and arts.”

(13:20) – “What I want people to know is that the research we do has practical implication in the lives we live.”

(14:57) – “We are an ecosystem of innovation.”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Molly Brennan is 2023 MSU Homecoming Grand Marshal for Michigan State University 

Molly is a Spartan with both academic and athletic legacies. She was the engineering group manager for the Truck and Bus Division of General Motors Corporation, where she won the first World Solar Challenge, setting four solar and electric land speed records in the Guinness Book of World Records. Beyond her illustrious career in engineering, she also made significant achievements as a track athlete, scholar, and philanthropist.  

Brennan shares some favorite MSU memories and talks about her accomplishments in life. She talks about challenges she has overcome and shares her advice for young women interested in STEM careers. 

Conversation Highlights:

(1:59) – “I didn’t really have a hard class.”

(5:56) – “The deciding factor was when I stepped foot on campus, and it felt like home.”

(9:57) – “I made the very hard decision to stay home with my kids. And as a result, my kids are my proudest accomplishment.”

(10:37) – “I would say the biggest challenge was being female.”

(14:00) – “We want you to drive a solar car in Australia.”

(16:33) – “Just like Kennedy sparking space exploration, we hope we sparked an interest in kids.”

(17:29) – “I hope we get it right because our planet is burning. My generation has not been good stewards of the planet.”

(19:30) – “I love MSU. And I totally understand the transformative opportunities it gave me. And I want to give students here that same opportunity.”

(21:22) – “I’m hoping that as grand marshal, I’m able to unite our student body and faculty and especially our alumni to reconnect back with Michigan State. Hopefully, they feel the same sense of gratitude that I do.”

Brennan is working with the MSU Alumni Office to identify campus fund initiatives for Homecoming that are meaningful to her and have transformed her life while on campus. One of the great things about MSU is Spartans can give back to the areas they are most passionate about. To learn more about Molly’s selected giving initiatives, visit giving.msu.edu.  

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Michigan State University has a newly renovated School of Packaging building, following a fundraising campaign that raised more than $10 million.

Upgrades to the facility, which was last updated in 1986, will help MSU remain a leader in the packaging field. The School of Packaging Building renovation helps to modernize teaching and learning by adding flexible classrooms that seamlessly integrate technology. Collaboration-friendly spaces invite industry partners to engage with students, and the modernized facilities will attract faculty by providing the proper space and tools to conduct world-class research.

The Lansmont Corporation extended its investment in packaging durability testing and research by donating test and measurement technologies for the Lansmont/PPT Group Laboratory. Their in-kind equipment donations include a TruMotion Acceleration Sled system, updated data acquisition system, vibration table controller and software, shock table and controller, as well as next generation SAVER units.

Matt Daum is the director of MSU’s School of Packaging. And MSU alumnus Eric Joneson is vice president of technology for Lansmont. They talk about what makes MSU’s School of Packaging the leader in packaging education. They discuss the packaging building renovations and how they will enhance that educational experience. They talk about challenges and opportunities ahead for the packaging industry, too, and give reasons why young people should consider careers in packaging.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:46) – “Most people have not heard of packaging or don’t know that you can actually get a degree in packaging.” 

(5:09) – “The people at the Naval Post Graduate School got in communication with Dr. James Goff here at Michigan State and wondered if this whole methodology or approach that works for testing and building better or more robust communications equipment and electronics for military applications, why wouldn’t it work for commercial, off the shelf products?”

(7:21) – “We really felt it was important for us to update our facilities to enhance the way that we teach and to be a focal center point and something our alumni can be proud of.”

(11:12) – “This is a very pivotal time in the history of packaging and in particular this field of distribution packaging.”

(14:02) – “It’s important to know about each of those three things: product, environment, and packaging. The three of those have to work together and complement one another to deliver products of quality to consumers.”

(18:27) – “There’s a little bit of science. There’s a little bit of art. There’s a little bit of communications. There’s a little bit of business. For those who have curious minds and like to connect different ideas and disciplines together, we offer that in our program.”

(20:47) – “It’s not atypical to be in Brazil, Korea, China, Japan, The Netherlands and walk by a cubicle and see a green “S.” I’ve probably said Go Green Go White on six or seven continents. It’s pretty cool.”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Throughout the summer months, work on expanding Michigan State University’s safety and security network has continued. MSU stands committed to making sure its campus is a safe place for all Spartans – students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. 

MSU Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Marlon Lynch updates the progress of the work that has been completed over the summer.   

Conversation Highlights:

(1:45) – “The process of centralizing security systems and creating additional layers of security through staff and technology has been underway for about a year and a half.”

(3:18) – “We have an initiative we’re working on now to utilize outdoor speakers. And we’re going to go to a tone that we’ll have to educate our community on. It’s like the monthly tornado sirens that we hear, but it will be distinctly different.”

(4:30) – “We are about 60 percent complete with the door lock installations.”

(11:39) – “The implementation of the security technology is a force multiplier. It allows us to see this huge campus and provide additional opportunities to see what’s going on, both visually through cameras and electronically through security systems, and then respond accordingly with the tools that are necessary for both the immediate response and the investigative component.”

(12:46) – “What was consistent was that they did not see an increase in alcohol-related incidents at the stadium.”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Michigan State University’s renowned W. J. Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023. 

Established in 1873, the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden is the oldest, continuously operated university botanical garden in the United States and illuminates the interconnectedness between people, plants, and place. This living laboratory encourages learning and exploration of the natural world. With a collection of over 2,000 plants from around the globe situated in the heart of MSU's campus along the Red Cedar River, this lovely natural landscape is perfect for collaborative programming to advance research, teaching, wellbeing, and public engagement.

Alan Prather is the garden’s interim director. Maeve Bassett is education director. And Loren Campbell is a student and Beal Scholar. They join me to talk about the garden’s history, present, and sustainable future.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:43) – “My goal is that anyone who walks into the garden, whether they’re a math major or a cold war assassination specialist, I can find some way to get them interested in plants.”

(3:01) – “Being in the Provost’s office, and in University Arts and Collections specifically, has given us a stronger focus on academics. Now we have a tighter, richer role with scholarship and learning on campus.”

(3:29) – “One of my goals has been to broaden the scope of who feels welcome and who wants to come to programming at the garden.”

(4:30) – “What I’m doing is looking at the plants that are in the garden already and in the pollinator garden and seeing how much they’re visited by native pollinators.”

(5:27) – “One of the fantastic things about the history of the garden is the fact that it’s tied so tightly to the history of campus.”

(6:25) – “When Beal established the garden on the south side of the Circle where the main garden is now, he did it expressly to provide a place where native plants could be honored, maintained, and grown for educational and enjoyment purposes.”

(7:33) – “We wanted to create an event that represented all the different ways that people engage with the garden.”

(10:45) – “Anything we do we want to make sure has a foundation in science and research.”

(12:13) – “We illuminate the interconnectedness of the people, plants, and place.”

(12:33) – “We’re hoping that, for instance, when we model sustainable practices, that will actually turn into inspiration for people to take our practices and put them out and make the world a better place.”

(13:40) – “You can’t have flowers without them being pollinated at times by insects, and insects and plants have a close relationship. They sort of depend on each other.”

(16:34) – “The first time I found the botanical garden I was just amazed; I’d never seen anything like it.”

(18:03) – “I always joke that my favorite audience member is the boy friend who’s been dragged along and has no interest in plants whatsoever. If I can get them leaving the tour saying, ‘That was so cool and exciting,’ then I feel like I’ve won.”

(20:06) – “The garden doesn’t have to be a place where you’re dragged by a class. We want this to be a place of joy, relaxation, and wellbeing.”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen. 

Michigan State University has named Judd Herzer as the director of MSU Mobility to help amplify and focus the university’s vast research activities in the smart-vehicle landscape.

Mobility is among MSU’s principal areas of research and innovation, and MSU Mobility and its partners will benefit from having a dedicated leader to guide and promote the university’s commitment to advancing its extensive mobility-focused efforts. 

In his new role, Herzer will lead university-wide initiatives under the MSU Mobility umbrella to advance knowledge and practice around next-generation transportation technologies.

Conversation highlights:

(2:50) – “These new technologies will change not just the mobility industry, but our society as a whole.”

(4:57) – “Thoughtfully encapsulating all the perspectives is important and should guide our work at MSU.”

(5:55) – “One of the biggest roles for me will be coordinating our mobility work across six different colleges because, again, mobility is more than just the next vehicle that’s coming out. It’s really going to change our society holistically.”

(6:20) – “MSU’s mobility team is incredibly strong, from the university and college leadership through researchers and students on down and is committed to making it a cornerstone of the university.”

(7:26) – “MSU is currently transforming its 5,200-acre campus into a live and connected mobility ecosystem of 8.1 square miles of contiguous urban, suburban, industrial, and rural areas…it makes MSU truly an ideal, one-of-a-kind location for research and testing and deploying mobility technologies in a real-world scenario with the ability to do so in all four seasons.”

(9:06) – “Our short-term goal is that we want to do more. And the long-term goal after that is to do even more on top of that.”

(9:21) – “Challenges and opportunities I look at as one in the same. A singular answer is pace.”

(12:23) – “It happens here for a reason. MSU is a great place for new, innovative ideas and transformational research that is really going to define what the future of mobility is, not just for Michigan and our automotive industry, but for our society at large and for our global community.”

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.