MSU Today with Russ White

Teresa Dunn is a Mexican American artist raised in rural Southern Illinois. Her identity, life, and art are influenced by her racial and cultural heritages and the complexities of being a brown woman in the Midwest.

She came to MSU in 2006 and is a professor of painting and drawing in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design in MSU’s College of Arts and Letters.

On this episode of MSU Today, she talks about her path to MSU and what inspires and motivates her art. And she describes her piece commemorating the inaugural Spartan Bus Tour.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:33) – Dunn elaborates on her background and what motivates her art.

(1:53) – Were you always drawing as a child? When did you begin to express your heritage through your art?

(3:03) – When does the feeling hit you that you want to and can express your feelings in your way?

(5:40) – Did you feel a creative boost after coming to terms with how you want to express yourself through your art?

(6:37) – How and why do you come to MSU in 2006?

(7:39) – What do you enjoy about teaching?

(8:57) – How have you seen students change over the years?

(10:04) – When you create a piece, are there takeaways you hope people feel when experiencing your art?

(11:32) – How did you become involved in commemorating the Spartan Bus Tour?

(13:33) – How did you grasp the feeling and spirit of the tour?

(15:14) – How would you describe your art, and what would like people to know about Teresa Dunn?

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

State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from IPPSR are joined by economist Charley Ballard to discuss the latest in politics and the economy.

Former Michigan Congressman and Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Jim Blanchard joins the trio to discuss the impact of potential tariffs on Canada.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:07) – Grossmann on the politics of President Trump’s executive orders.

(2:54) – Which executive orders do you think will be the most impactful?

(3:46) – What is the reaction to the executive orders across the country? Is this what voters wanted?

(4:36) – Charley, what about the impacts on the economy?

(7:28) – Is the American economy working for most Americans?

(9:44) – Matt, what’s the impact of Gary Peters’ announcement that he will not run for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2026?

(11:00) – How much will the Michigan governor’s race impact the federal race and vice versa?

(12:59) – Governor Blanchard’s perspective on the potential tariffs on Canada.

(17:12) – This isn’t the first time tariffs have the potential to impact the American economy.

(21:00) – Governor Blanchard says the tariffs will be inflationary.

(23:52) – How are the markets reacting?

(25:33) – Is this more bluster than reality? And what will the diplomatic damage be to our relationship with our allies?

(27:13) – Who pays the price for tariffs that will raise the price of what American consumers buy?

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

Eli Sussman grew up in the Detroit suburb of Huntington Woods. After graduating from Berkley High School, MSU’s James Madison College felt like a natural next step. 

“One of the great things about James Madison is that the classes are small, and the conversation is lively,” says Sussman. “I thrived in that atmosphere.” 

Perhaps that’s because lively conversation has always been part of his life. Family was important in the Sussman house, and eating dinner together was a central component in the lives of his large circle.  

Sussman says it was a long journey from an interest in politics to an interest in food. He always had cooking jobs to make money and worked at Lou and Harry’s in East Lansing as a line cook. “I loved it,” he says. “It was so fun because there was great comradery. It was a hard job, but it spoke to me. The fire was lit at Lou and Harry’s.” 

After graduation and a study abroad experience at a music management and public relations firm in London, Sussman put this burgeoning interest in cooking aside and moved to Los Angeles to work for five years at an advertsing agency that represented over 90 reocrd labels.  

“I was enjoying cooking on the weekends more than I was enjoying the weekdays at my desk,” he says. “At the time, the music business was transitioning away from CDs to digital downloads, and my brother, who was a chef in New York City, said to me ‘just come here and try it. You can always return to the music industry if you decide you don’t like cooking.’ 

“I started back at the beginning and became a prep cook. I knew instantaneously that I had made the right decision and that I would never return to the music industry.” 

Sussman’s latest project is a neighborhood bistro in Prospect Heights Brooklyn called Gertrude’s that features Jewish and French influences. Eli’s 7-layer chocolate cake, inspired by the 7-layer cake he grew up eating as a child, took on “a life of its own.” It was selected as one of The New York Times Top 8 Dishes of 2023 by food critic Pete Wells. “It’s a nice way to tie my Michigan roots to a New York restaurant.” 

In addition to going viral with his chocolate cake, Sussman now hosts the popular “Talkinin the WalkIn,” a video series in which Sussman interviews chefs inside of their own restaurant’s walk-in fridge. 

“The optimal place in the restaurant where people go to hide or get away is the walk-in,” he says. “This is where the meat and potatoes of your thinking happens. The setting tends to lead to compelling conversations.” 

Sussman encourages today’s students to “be open to the idea that maybe the first thing you’ve chosen doesn’t have to be the be-all end-all. You have many opportunities to reinvent yourself and start over. Focus on what excites you now. And if you don’t know what that is yet, that’s OK.”  

Soon,Sussman will have a presence in Michigan in the form of Italian-American cuisine. Alo’s, a joint venture with his brother, is slated for 2025 opening in Ann Arbor.   

“Even though I haven’t lived in Michigan since I was 18, I am a major advocate for Michigan; it’s a huge part of my identity,” he says. “People sleep on how wonderful Michigan is as a produce state—we have incredible farms. My brother and I are really excited about using our restaurant to showcase that Michigan produce is the best in America.”  

Conversation Highlights:

(0:43) – Eli on growing up in suburban Detroit and why he chose MSU for college.

(2:31) – Describe your journey from politics to the music industry to the culinary world. And how did your study abroad experience play into the process?

(9:01) – How and when do you dive into the food world in New York City?

(13:03) – How did your MSU and James Madison College experience impact you?

(18:39) – How would you describe the fare you enjoy cooking for people to enjoy at Gertrude’s?

(21:18) – What is Talkin in the Walkin, and how did it come about? Why is cooking like being in college?

(25:35) – Why do you enjoy “punching up” at the Michelin culture that exists in parts of the hospitality industry?

(28:07) – What’s your advice for students today regardless of what they want to do? What two major mistakes do you feel you made?

(30:48) – What motivates you and gets you up and going every day?

(32:44) – Tell us about your plans to open a restaurant in Ann Arbor.

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

Michigan State University alumna Heidi Przybyla is an award-winning investigative and television correspondent who is championing new approaches to reporting and delivering news that put the American people first. 

She is a veteran journalist who has regularly broken exclusive reporting on how White House, congressional and presidential policy impacts everyday Americans and on the state of democracy at home. Her reporting has spanned leading newspaper, digital, radio and television outlets. 

She’s appeared on CNN, PBS, NPR, CBS, ABC, FOX and across NBC News platforms.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:58) - Describe your background and career path. 

(3:14) - What attracted you to MSU, and how did your MSU experience impact you?

(6:12) - Did you always know you wanted to be a journalist? Why are you passionate about journalism?

(9:03) - Talk about the now-more-than-ever importance of journalism. What is its role in today’s world and how is the mission evolving? How would you like to see journalism evolve? What are some of the “new approaches to reporting and delivering news that put the American people first?”

(13:57) - What is the state of democracy at home? Do we need media literacy education? How does journalism need to evolve?

(18:56) – What’s your advice for today’s journalism students?

(21:51) – What do you want us to keep in mind about democracy and journalism and where it’s all going?

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

Teresa K. Woodruff joined an elite group of Americans who have received two national medals of honor when President Joe Biden announced the latest recipients of the National Medal of Science on Jan. 3.  

Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, presented Woodruff with the medal at a ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., on the same date.

The first person from Michigan State University to receive the National Medal of Science, Woodruff has made significant global contributions in scientific research, improvements to the scientific process and diversification of research teams. Woodruff is an MSU Foundation professor in both the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at MSU’s College of Human Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at MSU’s College of Engineering. She was named provost of MSU in August 2020 and served as interim president of MSU from 2022-2024.  

Established in 1959 by the U.S. Congress, the National Medal of Science is the highest recognition the nation can bestow on scientists and engineers. Teresa is the first MSU faculty member to receive the recognition.  

President Barack Obama presented Woodruff with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in an Oval Office ceremony in 2011. It is very rare to receive two presidential honors.  

Conversation Highlights:

(1:36) - Congratulations! How does it feel?

(2:30) - You’re one of the world’s leading fertility experts, and you pioneered the science of oncofertility in 2006 that has helped thousands of cancer patients protect their reproductive futures. Talk about how your interest in this area developed and describe your research interests.

(4:43) - How is your research evolving? Findings lead to more questions, right? What is the zinc spark?

(6:37) - Teaching and mentoring are important to you. You’re an advocate for women in science and led efforts to change federal policy to mandate the use of females in fundamental National Institutes of Health research.Your students inspire you. Why is mentoring important to you and how are they helping carry on your work?

(8:57) - Why MSU? You could do this research anywhere. 

(9:57) – The burgeoning MSU Health Sciences.

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

State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld from IPPSR are joined by economist Charley Ballard to discuss the latest in politics and the economy. 

MSU sociologist Stephanie Nawyn joins the group to discuss Michigan residents’ attitudes on immigration and refugees.

Conversation Highlights:

(2:15) – Ballard on impacts on the economy – tariffs, EV subsidies, and public health. Michigan has the busiest border crossing in North America.

(7:45) – Grossmann on the impact on politics and policy. “Most things require bipartisan cooperation.”

(9:36) – There will be unified government at the federal level and divided government at the state level.

(14:26) – Nawyn describes her findings. What did you find about attitudes toward immigration and refugees?

(16:52) – Is President-elect Trump reading the public correctly?

(17:35) – What do you make of the differing views of Christians in places like Grand Rapids?

(24:11) – Michigan has a long history of accepting and supporting refugees. “It’s not just immigrants who will suffer. Pocketbooks will be impacted.”

(26:23) – Ballard on economic impact. The biggest impact might be on the construction industry. 

(28:11) – Will the political winds ever change?

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

Michigan State University has announced the appointment of Alan Prather as director of the Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum. Prather has served as interim director since October 2021.

Morgan Butts is director of communications and marketing for University Arts and Collections.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:43) – Describe your background and scholarship.

(2:02) – Talk about the history and evolving mission of the garden. And what is rewilding?

(3:23) - Beal Scholars Internship Program

(4:47) - Red Cedar Riverbank Restoration research

(5:39) - New Botanical collection database

(6:29) - Strategic Plan/Land Use Plan 

(7:12) – What is University Arts and Collections?

(8:08) - Do you have a favorite memory of the garden?

(9:37) – What are you most excited about for 2025?

(10:48) – What would you like the campus community to know about “the interconnectedness of people, plants and place?”

(12:03) – How can people support the garden?

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

Three Spartan alumni siblings – Dave Porteous, Bill Porteous, and Ruth Porteous Hamilton – had often thought of ways they could honor their parents, who had attended Michigan State College between 1937-1942.

When the siblings learned of the project to renovate Campbell Hall into an Honors College living-learning community, they were immediately interested in helping to fund it because their parents – William and Mable Porteous – had met at Campbell Hall.

Years later, the three siblings all followed their parents’ footsteps to MSU. Now, together with their spouses and families, they have pledged $1 million to renovate the former cafeteria into what will be The Porteous Grand Hall. This new space will give future Honors College students a place to collaborate and build lasting connections, just like their parents did. (Brandi Stover & Melanie Brender)

Dave, Bill, and Ruth talk about this cool Spartan story.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:01) - Talk about mom and dad in general and the impact they had on you.

(4:13) - What motivated the gift?

(7:31) – Why is it important to give back?

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

Rebecca DeVooght is the vice president for Government Relations at MSU. 

She describes the professional journey that led her back to her alma mater. She talks about the evolving mission of the Office of Government Relations. She talks about deepening relationships with new leaders at all levels of government and how MSU can evolve to meet the needs of Michigan even better than it already does. She describes the biggest policy issues facing higher education in the next few years and how MSU is positioning itself to address them.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:23) - Can you tell us a bit about your professional journey and what led you to this role as Vice President for Government Relations at Michigan State University?

(3:11) - What does it mean to you personally and professionally to return to Michigan State in this capacity? Are there any experiences from your time as a student here that resonate with you now in your leadership role?

(4:40) - As you’ve settled into this position since August, what have been your initial priorities, and what is your long-term vision for the Government Relations office?

(7:54) - Advocacy and relationships are at the core of government relations. How do you plan to deepen MSU’s partnerships with policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels?

(11:46) - With Michigan’s recent election results, including the election of a new U.S. Senator, Elissa Slotkin, and the Michigan House of Representatives returning to Republican control, how do you see these changes affecting MSU’s policy priorities and engagement strategies?

(15:51) - What do you see as the biggest policy issues facing higher education in the next few years, and how is MSU positioning itself to address them?

(20:58) - What’s one thing you hope to accomplish during your tenure at MSU that will leave a lasting impact on the university and its government relations work?

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

Joyce deJong is the dean of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. An alumna of the college, she began her appointment on Feb. 5, 2024. 

Earlier this year, she had the opportunity to deploy to North Carolina with the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) under the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Her team, composed of members from across the country, gathered in Charlotte before heading out to assist with the mission. 

Conversation Highlights:

(1:08) - What is DMORT? What’s the mission? And how does your expertise fit into that mission?

(6:46) - Talk about the unique mix of emotions when such a deployment begins.

(10:22) - How long have you been volunteering like this, and why do you do it?

(15:39) - Can you describe the incredible damage you saw but also the resilience you saw in the people.

(17:45) - Talk about your desire to bring that resilience back to MSU COM and about how your experience has reaffirmed some of your values that you believe are at the heart of osteopathic medicine and what you do at MSUCOM.

(21:05) - How is it going as dean? Any surprises?

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