Audiences: current students, admitted students, employees, current and admitted student parents, alums and BOT
Dear Spartans and friends,
The long hours of study, the dreams of proud families, the dedication of faculty and staff, and the support of generations of alums, donors and Michigan residents culminate next week when we salute more than 10,000 new graduates at spring commencement ceremonies.
I couldn’t be prouder as these students transform into alums, ready to bring their world-class preparation to a world that needs their knowledge, skills and engagement.
Three Spartans who’ve spent their careers at the intersection of leadership and global change will keynote our commencement ceremonies. We’re honored to have Gov. Gretchen Whitmer back on campus to address our undergraduate convocation; Christopher Fernandez, an experienced automotive and technology executive, will speak at our master’s and educational specialist ceremony; and University Distinguished Professor Ann Austin, in our College of Education, will offer wisdom from her experience to our doctoral graduates.
Among our bachelor’s degree recipients will be an impressive 315 who completed their undergraduate studies with a perfect 4.0 grade point average and earned recognition through our Board of Trustees Awards. Congratulations to these extraordinary scholars, and to all our accomplished spring 2026 graduates!
AI-Ready Spartans
As we prepare graduates for 21st-century careers, we hear increasing interest in what Michigan State is doing to prepare them for the impact of artificial intelligence. We’re doing more every day, and this website offers a glimpse into our broad approach and ethical foundations. I look forward to participating in our second annual MSU Ethics AI Summit early next month, when we’ll gather faculty, staff, librarians and students from across the university to continue shaping our work in AI education, research and everyday use.
At MSU, faculty members across multiple disciplines have advanced AI-focused teaching and research for years, with more than 30 courses now related to artificial intelligence. A new initiative advanced by our Green and White Council, called AI-Ready Spartans, aims to empower our faculty to lead the integration of AI across the undergraduate experience while partnering with industry leaders to provide employer insights and help ensure every graduate can learn to use AI effectively and responsibly. Through the AI-Ready Spartans: Education Innovation Grants Challenge, we’re inviting faculty and academic partners to design transformative learning experiences that prepare our graduates to lead in an AI-driven world.
Another teaching innovation grant opportunity is connected to the Apple Manufacturing Academy we launched in Detroit. That grant program will spur curriculum innovation focused on industry collaboration and professional learning and connect MSU faculty with Apple engineers to collaborate in advanced manufacturing ecosystems and economic growth.
MSU’s expertise in supply chain, logistics, engineering and packaging — coupled with our commitment to leadership in artificial intelligence advancements and Apple’s leading-edge technological know-how — will foster new synergy and skills development for Michigan’s manufacturing sector. We’re inviting faculty, students and interested small- and mid-sized businesses to learn more and engage with the academy at a manufacturing/AI-focused spring forum at Wharton Center on April 30 and May 1.
Solidifying federal ties
I’ve written before about the importance of federal support for university-based research to address urgent challenges in medicine, energy and other areas of national priority. Food security, of course, is an important part of our national security. This month, we were proud to host U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins with a tour of our new Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center.
The visit offered a chance to remind Secretary Rollins that Michigan State was a prototype for America’s land-grant institutions as well as the first to teach scientific agriculture. Michigan’s agricultural diversity and scale make it a national test bed for agricultural innovation and resilience, which she recognized by announcing new grant funding for the specialty crop industry.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is a longtime partner, leveraging Michigan State’s research and outreach to address challenges farmers face. Michigan is home to more than 850 dairy farms that collectively lead the nation in milk production efficiency. MSU’s state-of-the-art dairy facilities — built with strong support from the state, industry stakeholders and others — are a vital asset to our agricultural communities.
I’ll be delivering similar messages soon to government officials in Washington, D.C., as I continue to advocate for MSU and federal research investments.
Picking up the pace
Michigan State’s momentum continues to build, powered also by the generosity and leadership of Spartans who believe in the power of our globally recognized research. I’m proud to share that alums Chuck and Jackie Frasier have made a transformative $47 million gift to our top-ranked School of Packaging. As members of the President’s Campaign Cabinet, the Frasiers lead with both vision and action — expanding student opportunities and advancing innovation that makes a positive impact on our everyday lives and industries around the world.
We welcomed that same spirit at our recent Volunteer Summit, where comprehensive campaign volunteers, alumni leaders and ambassadors from across the country gathered in East Lansing for a multi-day experience focused on connection, learning and service. The summit reinforced the critical role our volunteers play in broadly advancing the university’s mission. I’m deeply grateful for their time, insights and unwavering commitment to bringing “Spartans Will” to life in communities everywhere and inspiring others to get involved.
Ours is a campus in motion, and Spartans and friends will gather April 26 for the seventh annual Izzo Run/Walk/Roll. It’s a great chance for Spartans everywhere to enjoy healthy activity and to support our local community. Whether participating at the event course around our lovely campus or from your own location through the Virtual Izzo, you can learn more and get involved here.
I’m looking forward to a brisk run through beautiful surroundings in great company, all in the spirit of community, fitness and fun.
Go Green!
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
(pronounced GUS-ka-wits)
President
John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor
Department of Kinesiology