The State News - January 12, 2023

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MSU’s newest trustee Sandy Pierce and her colleagues share what she really brings to the board is fresh eyes and open ears.

Michigan State’s Independent Voice

Michigan State Athletics remained in full swing during the holidays, here is what you may have missed from Spartans over break.

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By Vivian Barrett VBarrett@statenews.com

While many students headed home for break after classes ended in December, Michigan State University’s campus and Greater Lansing were not silent through the end of the year and early January. Here is a look at some of the news you may have missed over winter break.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ FINAL MEETING

The MSU Board of Trustees held its final meeting of the year on Dec. 16, 2022. Following ex-trustee Pat O’Keefe’s resignation, the meeting ran with seven trustees instead of the standard eight and was interim president Teresa Woodruff’s first board meeting since her appointment.

Chair of the budget and finance committee Melanie Foster said the board does not “see a viable path to establish a swim and dive program.” Foster cited the long-term need for a facility, the cost-sharing arrangement between MSU Athletics and external fundraising as reasons for why reinstatement would be difficult.

The announcement earned push back from several former team members and parents who argued that MSU hasn’t done enough in regards to fundraising.

Board chair Dianne Byrum said she expects the search for a permanent president will begin this spring, after the board has fully transitioned

in the new year. The transitions include the start of trustee Dennis Denno’s term and the appointment of a trustee to fill O’Keefe’s seat.

A press release announced the completion of 95 actions from federal Title IX reviews. At the meeting, Woodruff said she had recently visited the Title IX Office and the Center for Survivors.

A group of supporters accompanied former business school dean Sanjay Gupta in attending the meeting. Broad College faculty member Shawnee Vickery read a letter from Broad professors demanding the release of the results of the Quinn Emanuel investigation.

LOU ANNA K. SIMON PORTRAIT CEREMONY

A private ceremony unveiling a portrait of former MSU president Lou Anna K. Simon was held at the Breslin Center on Dec. 19, 2022, hosted by the board. The ceremony was moved to the Breslin after originally being scheduled to be held at the Cowles House to accommodate the number of guests.

Simon left the university at the height of the exMSU doctor Larry Nassar scandal. The portrait was included in her retirement agreement, though the promise of a ceremony was not.

Several MSU faculty, residents of Greater Lansing and Simon’s friends attended the ceremony, which also brought a number of student protesters, including ASMSU president Jo Kovach.

SPARROW HEALTH SYSTEM JOINS UM HEALTH

Sparrow Health System joined University of Michigan Health on Dec. 8, 2022. Sparrow CEO Jim Dover said the deal is a membership substitution, not a purchase of Sparrow.

The agreement with Sparrow makes UM Health a $7 billion organization. UM Health plans to expand services to Mid-Michigan residents with an $800 million investment.

THE KNOB HILL APARTMENTS FIRE

A building at the Okemos Knob Hill Apartments caught fire on Dec. 21, 2022, leaving one person dead. The fire started on the second and third floors, Meridian Township Fire Department

Chief Mike Hamel said.

Multiple fire departments including the Northeast Ingham Emergency Service Authority, Meridian Township, East Lansing, Lansing and City of Mason departments worked to put out the fire. The fire left the building a “total loss,” Hamel said.

Two Okemos High School teachers helped their fellow residents escape the fire.

DTN Management Company and a nearby hotel secured housing for residents to stay in. A large amount of donations including toiletries, clothing and food items have been collected for the families affected.

Firefighters from Meridian Township and multiple other departments put out a fire at the Knob Hill Apartments on Dec. 21, 2022. Meridian Township Fire Chief Michael Hamel said the fire started as a couch fire and there are no known injuries. Photo by Devin Anderson-Torrez

What to know about MSU’s newest trustee: Sandy Pierce

By Alex Walters AWalters@statenews.com

Following the resignation of former Michigan State University Trustee Pat O’Keefe, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer selected Huntington Bank’s executive vice president Sandy Pierce to serve the remainder of his eight-year term.

While Pierce shared about her life and work, she was hesitant to make any policy conclusions relating to MSU. Pierce said she is going into her first days of board business with an open mind.

“I believe that you can’t be a part of solutions until you understand them,” Pierce said. “And you can’t understand them without going in with no preconceived notions.”

Colleagues and friends of Pierce agreed, describing her as “transparent,” “strategic,” “personable,” and above all, a listener.

Detroit Economic Club CEO Steve Grigorian, who appointed Pierce in July 2022 as president of the club’s board, said her ability to listen has made her an effective steward of his organization.

“Some people listen just to listen, others listen to understand, I put Sandy in the latter category,” Grigorian said. “When you listen to understand … you can make some really educated decisions that are in the best interest of all the constituents. I think that is something that will translate to MSU.”

Huntington’s southeast region President Eric Dietz now works with Pierce at Huntington, but before a merger made the two colleagues,

he knew and respected her as a “formidable competitor.”

“It’s a much more enjoyable experience working with her than against her,” Dietz said.

As an alumnus of the university, parent of an MSU graduate and fan of Spartan sports, Dietz said he feels his alma mater is in improved hands with Pierce’s appointment.

“Things have been a little rocky with that

Sandy Pierce Board of Trustees

board of trustees over the years … but I remain committed to my university,’’ Dietz said. “Seeing somebody of Sandy’s caliber raise her hand to jump into this, it’s really exciting.”

Pierce served on a Detroit Public Schools committee to oversee the district’s $500 million facilities program and Central State University’s 2019 presidential search committee. Additionally, her experience as a Michigan executive and corporate board member is vast.

Before her time at Huntington, Pierce worked as the Chairman and CEO of FirstMerit Michigan, CEO and president of Charter One Michigan and a Midwest regional executive of JPMorgan Chase. She also sat on the boards of the Penske Group, American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings, ITC Holdings, Business Leaders for Michigan and Henry Ford Health System.

Pierce earned her bachelor’s degree and MBA at Wayne State University, though she views

herself as a member of the Spartan community, as her three children, two sons-in-law and husband all graduated from MSU.

As for her personal politics, Pierce said she doesn’t identify with either major political party. Her finances support this, with her individual donations going to Democrats like Whitmer, and her PAC donations often supporting Republican candidates.

Before making the appointment, Whitmer’s chief of staff and chief operating officer met with at-large members of MSU’s faculty senate and the university’s secretary for academic governance, Tyler Silvestri.

Silvestri said the faculty senate members asked that the governor select “someone with board experience and a commitment to transparency,” and that “it was noted that the demographics of the board are something they should keep in mind.”

This appointment makes the new board two men and six women, with two members being people of color. The new board will also have a more dramatic political split than the last, with six Democratic members, one Republican and Pierce not identifying with a party.

Pierce’s term will expire in January 2029, but she doesn’t see her time with the board ending there.

“It is a great institution,” Pierce said. “And I’m really looking forward to the next six years, and then hopefully after that as an elected official.”

“It is a great institution. And I’m really looking forward to the next six years, and then hopefully after that as an elected official.”

Photo courtesy of Sandy Pierce

CATCH UP ON MSU ATHLETICS OVER WINTER BREAK

over the Buffalo Bulls on Dec. 30, 2022.

Four Spartans hit double digits, including senior forward Malik Hall who returned to the lineup for the first time since Nov. 18. 2022 after dealing with a foot injury and finished with 11 points.

Next on the schedule was a Big Ten battle against Nebraska at home.

Senior guard Tyson Walker lit up the floor against the Cornhuskers, scoring 21 points throughout the game — 16 in the first half alone. Defensively, the Spartans held Nebraska to just 17 points in the first half for a comfortable 74-56 win.

To close out winter break, the Spartans took on their rivals Michigan at home on Jan. 7. Hall and junior guard A.J. Hoggard gave quite the performance against the Wolverines, putting up 15 points each.

MSU was able to take down their rivals in an exciting 59-53 win at home.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The women’s basketball team broke their fivegame losing streak for an exhilarating break.

first Big Ten win.

The team then extended its win streak to four after a 71-64 road victory over Northwestern on Jan. 2.

They finished their break on the road, fighting until the very end against No.13 Maryland.

The Spartans were trailing by 19 points going into the fourth quarter, but big plays from players like senior guard Moira Joiner kept them in the game until the very end.

Ultimately, MSU was unable to complete the comeback and fell to the Terrapins 71-64.

HOCKEY

In typical winter break fashion, MSU traveled to Grand Rapids for the 57th annual Great Lakes Invitational where the team took on Ferris State in the semi-final round on Dec. 27, 2022.

Ferris sent Michigan State to the locker room down 3-0 despite out shooting the Bulldogs 15-6.

A pair of goals from fifth-year defenseman Cole Krygier in the second brought the Spartans within one, but another power-play goal from FSU solidified the 4-2 loss for MSU.

By Bella Johnson BJohnson@statenews.com

Winter break is a time for students to take a step away from their studies and prepare for the spring semester ahead. Although most students traveled home for the holidays, Michigan State Athletics remained in full swing. Here is what you may have missed from the Spartans over break.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Winter break kicked off with two nonconference challenges for the Spartans before shifting back to Big Ten play in the new year.

The Spartans took a break from their strenuous schedule to take on the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at home on Dec. 21, 2022. They struggled with turnovers early, but were able to regain control in the second half, coming away with a 67-54 win.

The green and white continued their nonconference stand at home with a 89-68 victory

After closing out the fall semester with a narrow road loss to No. 3 Ohio State, the Spartans bounced back with two dominant back-to-back non-conference wins over Detroit Mercy and Prairie View A&M on Dec. 18 and 20, 2022, defeating the Titans 91-41 and the Panthers 98-50 and giving the team momentum as they returned to conference play.

MSU closed out the year with its best game yet — an 83-78 upset victory over No. 4 Indiana at home on Dec. 29, 2022, handing the Hoosiers their first loss of the season and logging their

The next day, Michigan State took on Michigan Tech University in the final game of the GLI and fell to the Huskies 2-3 in overtime, awarding the Spartans with last place in the tournament.

MSU moved back to conference play on the road against Ohio State University just before the start of the spring semester.

The Spartans gave up nine goals over the course of the series, and after sweeping the Buckeyes earlier in the series, OSU defeated Michigan State 3-1 and 6-0 to hand the Spartans their fourth and fifth consecutive losses.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus characterthat is the goal of true education.”

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus characterthat is the goal of true education.”

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus characterthat is the goal of true education.”

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus characterthat is the goal of true education.” Dr.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education.”

is the goal of true education.” Dr.

Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Office

Office

Freshman forward Karsen Dorwart (28) makes his way down the ice during a game against Ohio State University at Schottenstein Center on Jan. 7, 2023. The Spartans lost to the Buckeyes with a score of 6-0. Photo by Audrey Richardson

MSU to hold first in-person MLK Community Unity Dinner since 2020, many other commemorative events

By Vivian Barrett VBarrett@statenews.com

To kick off a week-long commemorative celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Michigan State University will host the first in-person annual unity dinner since 2020 on Thursday, Jan. 12. Events will continue through Friday, Jan. 20 to honor King’s legacy. Although it has existed for many years, the 2023 dinner will be the first event for Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar Bennett, who began at MSU during the pandemic.

“It’s exciting for me to be able to bring back and celebrate this event in-person for the first time in four years, but also to meet many people on campus who engage in this work, who are advocates and allies in this work that I have not had an opportunity to meet,” Bennett said.

Bennett said an annual celebration of King’s legacy is important not only to honor his work for human rights, but also to reflect on how that work continues today.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to come together around a common purpose, to reflect on work and legacy, specifically of Dr. King, but also to think about and acknowledge the work that is happening today,” Bennett said. “And how there’s still a need for it in different areas, and how we can encourage and partner with one another to actually get that work done.”

The 43rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Unity Dinner will feature African

American and African Studies associate professor Dr. LeConté Dill as a keynote speaker. Dill is trained in public health and ethnography, and described her work, which focuses on the lives of young, urban black girls and youth of color, as transdisciplinary.

A major part of Dill’s personal connection to King stems from attending Spelman College in Atlanta, the sister school of King’s alma mater – Morehouse College. Dill said it is important to remember King for the way he lived, not just how he died.

“Dr. King is important for not just our country but our world,” Dill said. “[He is] definitely an important leader for Black people, but also an important leader for all people. Just based on his commitments to justice, his commitments to liberation, his commitment to studying.”

In her unity dinner speech, Dill will focus on King’s 1967 “Where Do We Go From Here?”

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speech. She said her speech will center around power and how marginalized people can use their power to create change – a sentiment that is echoed in King’s speech.

“People who systematically don’t have the most power, that doesn’t mean they don’t have any power,” Dill said. “I will try in my speech to talk about the different types of power that even the most marginalized, minoritized people have, that they can leverage for change. [King] talks about when you properly understand this power, that’s what’s really going to lead to change and lead to you achieving your purpose.”

On Friday, the MLK Student Committee and the Office of Spartan Experiences will host the MLK Student Leadership Conference.

Graduate student committee chair Ladell Watson is in charge of several aspects of the conference, which will feature author and school psychologist Kelsie Reed as a guest speaker.

“We’ll be learning from [Reed’s] book, and different ways in which she produces work, how it relates to Dr. King’s mission,” Watson said. “Also providing opportunities and tools for [students] to do a self-reflection for themselves, but also reflection on how their work can ultimately support both campus life and their own student development.”

Undergraduate student committee chair Brandon Foster has worked primarily in setting up the MLK Commemorative March, which will take place on Monday, Jan. 16. The march will start at Beaumont Tower at 9 a.m. and end at the proposed location for the new MSU Multicultural Center.

“It was very important for us to walk there because we are finally getting a place where people that are different can be comfortable,” Foster said. “We’ve been fighting for that for decades now. I’ve talked to alumni from the 90s that were like ‘we really wanted this’ and we’re finally getting that.”

The march is hosted by the student committee in collaboration with Foster’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. Foster said his fraternity will always continue to honor King, who was also a member.

“Just look at our school right now,” Foster said. “Without Dr. King’s legacy, we wouldn’t be able to coexist in these types of spaces. He’s one of the reasons there’s a lot of diversity, equity, inclusion to me because he really brought those aspects together.”

OBITUARY

Gloria Jean Olson, age 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep in her son’s home on Friday, December 23rd, 2022 in Truckee, California while visiting for the holidays. Gloria was born on December 26th, 1935, in Cumberland, Wisconsin, to Esther and Clarence Poulter and was their eldest child. Gloria excelled at everything she did and earned her Registered Nurse designation in 1956 and began her career on the surgical floor of Northwestern University. That same year, she married her childhood neighbor and High School sweetheart, LeRoy Olson, and they were married for over 66 years until his passing in August 2022. They went on to have two sons David (Maria) of Truckee, CA; and Thomas (Linda) of Leawood, KS. Gloria paused her career in those years to be a full-time Mom and to give her children everything possible to have a happy and idyllic childhood.

After moving to East Lansing, Michigan in 1961 Gloria worked part-time in Healthcare Administration at Michigan State University College of Medicine, Sparrow Hospital and Ingham Medical Center. She excelled in these roles going full time in 1976 and was promoted to be Nursing Supervisor for Outpatient Clinics at Ingham Medical Center. She went back to college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing Supervision and Management from Central Michigan University in 1978. She retired after 25 years at Ingham Medical Center in 1992.

Gloria will be remembered for her dedication to family and wholehearted embrace of her eclectic passions. These included - cooking extraordinary meals for numerous gourmet clubs and friends, becoming a Master Gardener, actively participating in Prayers and Squares quilting group, social clubs, and church circle. Gloria was a compassionate and caring woman who spent most of her life thinking about others. She was always baking, exploring a new recipe, calling friends and neighbors who needed extra help or a friendly ear. Gloria was a dedicated and faithful member of University Lutheran Church in East Lansing, MI for over 61 years.

She was devoted to her parents, husband, and younger brother, Jim. Gloria is survived by her two sons, brother and three grandchildren – Claire (Joe), Ryan and Emily who she was always cheerleading for in all their pursuits.

A memorial service is planned and donations in her name can be made to University Lutheran Church 1020 S. Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823.

Gloria Jean Olson

“It’s an opportunity for the community to come together around a common purpose to reflect on work and legacy, specifically of Dr.King, but also to think about and acknowledge the work that is happening today.”

Jabbar Bennett Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Photo courtesy of Michigan State University