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MSU Baseball’s ‘Natural Leader’ Senior second baseman Dan Durkin rises to lead team as captain

Senior second baseman Dan Durkin (9) runs to first base during the game against the University of Minnesota on April 1 at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field. The Spartans were defeated by the Golden Gophers during the first game of the day, 3-2. PHOTO: CHLOE GRIGSBY

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“When (Dan Durkin) opens his mouth and says something it means a lot to the rest of his teammates because of the way he conducts himself.”

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Once a spot of thriving business, now a site of common turnover

BY RILEY MURDOCK RMURDOCK@STATENEWS.COM

The building at 547 and 549 E Grand River Ave., home to the Greater Lansing Visitor Center, apartment space, and, until recently, Sweet Lorraine’s Fabulous Mac n’ Cheez!, has seen businesses come and go for decades, landlord Steve Perry said.

Perry, a manager with Perry Investment Group, LLC, said his family has owned the building since it was built in 1946.

Originally designed for the dry cleaner his parents ran in the 1940s and early ‘50s, the building has been home to mostly restaurants or retail, but has seen turnover every three to four years, Perry said.

Two businesses have come and gone from the space at 547 E Grand River Ave. in the last decade alone.

Before Sweet Lorraine’s occupied the space, it was home to Wanderer’s Teahouse.

Michael Spano, now an acupuncturist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, started Wanderer’s in August 2010.

Spano said his travels throughout Asia and

Europe inspired him to bring the teahouse culture of socialization and relaxation back to East Lansing to see if it would work in America.

It did, he said.

“Our place was a place where you (could) go and not worry about anything, no matter what you did in life, where you were, everyone was just sitting down and having tea,” Spano said. “Executives of companies and students and everybody, and I always struck up lots of conversations.”

Wanderer’s Teahouse appealed to the open-mindedness of college students, Spano said.

It became a venue for open mic events, small classes and other events, he said.

Spano didn’t run his business into many barriers in East Lansing, he said.

While MSU’s cafeterias cut into the food business, Wanderer’s teas were carried in them.

While downtown’s paid parking became a hassle for some patrons, most students would just walk anyway, he said.

Perry said Spano had a solid understanding of business and finance and planned for East Lansing’s down periods.

The downfall of Wanderer’s Teahouse was a Environmental engineering junior Allison Lukens walks in front of the now-empty storefront of the closed Sweet Lorraine’s Fabulous Mac n’ Cheez! on April 4 at 547 E. Grand River Ave. Lukens was walking to class. PHOTO: CHLOE GRIGSBY

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Their healthcare plan was basically to go bankrupt, he said.

“I had to make a decision right then, and it was hard,” Spano said. “Trust me, it was the hardest decision I had to make in my life.”

Spano was made an offer he couldn’t refuse, he said.

MD Anderson offered him a position with a good salary, constant hours and full benefits.

“Do I start from almost ground zero with money to try to build it up even more, so I can pay the rent and keep my profit … or do I just stop working 80, 90 hours a week and take a job where I get paid well and get full benefits and retirement and paid days off which you never get as a private business owner?” Spano said.

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Wanderer’s Teahouse closed in May 2013, and there’s not a day Spano doesn’t think about bringing it back, he said.

If given another chance, Spano said he would’ve gone in with another investor to have more capital, wouldn’t have taken a second job and would have found an operational partner so he’d be able to have more time off while maintaining the teahouse’s quality.

Independent businesses don’t have as much capital as chains, and are at a disadvanMusic and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann tage because of this, Spano said.

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“perfect storm” of factors that happened all at once, Spano said.

After two years of getting on its feet the business was making money, but the lease was up and Spano had some trouble with a rent escalation, he said.

On the side, Spano was working as an acupuncturist at Henry Ford Medical Centers in Novi and West Bloomfield and had about five days off a year, including weekends, he said.

Healthcare was also a financial concern. Spano said no one would insure him and his wife at the time, in their respective 40’s and 50’s, and the price for anyone willing to give them catastrophic insurance was twice their mortgage.

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ONLINE

Alumnus wins award from Comm. Arts Founder of Which Wich Sandwiches reflects on the success of his worldwide business

BY T H E N U M B E R S

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Number of years the women’s golf team had the highest team GPA See page 7

22nd annual wine tasting benefit MSU Museum threw its annual wine tasting event and raised about $14,000

MSU Museum to get new director Sociocultural and cultural anthropologist Mark Auslander will take over in July

“From the Islamic perspective, there is no contradiction between something that is factually scientific — because it deals with human nature — the human mind and religion, because the source of both is the same, God almighty.”

Sohail Chaudhry, Imam at the Islamic Center of East Lansing PAGE 6

Political science junior announces run for East Lansing City Council

BY MARIE WEIDMAYER MWEIDMAYER@STATENEWS.COM

Political science junior Aaron Stephens announced via press release Friday he is running for East Lansing City Council.

“I’ve lived here for three years now, this community has welcomed me and given me so many opportunities to be involved and I just want to be part of our continuing efforts to make this a welcoming, prosperous and progressive city,” Stephens said. “I knew from the instant I stepped foot in this city, I was where I was going to be here even after I graduated.”

East Lansing City Clerk Marie Wicks said Stephens has not taken out a nominating petition for the November 2017 election though Scott Hirko and two current councilmembers, Ruth Beier and Susan Woods, have.

A nominating petition requires potential candidates to receive 50 signatures from registered East Lansing voters in order to have their name placed on the ballot. The petition has to be returned by July 25 at 4 p.m.

Stephens said he believes he will bring a student perspective to the council if he is elected.

“I am a student and I can provide that student perspective and I think that it is important,” Stephens said. “I think that the relationship between permanent residents and students, there is definitely divide between the city and university, and I hope to try to bridge that gap a little bit.”

However, Stephens said he also thinks it is important to represent the whole community.

“Even though I am a student, that still means I am representing every single member of this community as well, every single permanent resident,” Stephens said. “Their voice is going to be quintessential to my campaign. I’m not just going to be doing it from the student perspective, you have to listen to every single angle.”

Balancing being a full-time student with his campaign might be difficult, Stephens said.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it, it’s definitely going to be a difficult time being a full-time student and running for office,” Stephens said. “It’s going to be difficult, but I believe that it is the most important thing that we can do.”

Stephens said he believes community engagement is important and it is also important to capitalize on the movements happening since the 2016 presidential election.

McLane Stadium at Kobs Field is flooded by the Red Cedar River on April 7. PHOTO: CHLOE GRIGSBY

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Spotlight

Dan Durkin first baseball captain in 3 years, a model for teammates

BY CASEY HARRISON CHARRISON@STATENEWS.COM

When senior second baseman Dan Durkin takes the field, he wears the same Spartan uniform the rest of his teammates don — with one slight exception.

A green “C” is patched above the Spartans script on his jersey, distinguishing him as the first team captain since the 2014 season.

Rallying behind Durkin Durkin has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches for his consistent work on and off the field, head coach Jake Boss Jr. said.

Durkin is a brother on a team of best friends, a role model for underclassmen and the living embodiment to the culture Boss has worked for more than a decade to create.

“When he opens his mouth and says something it means a lot to the rest of his teammates because of the way he conducts himself,” said Boss, who is now in his 11th season at the helm of the Spartans.

Boss, reluctant to name captains in recent years, was approached by a number of players at the beginning of the season to favor Durkin as the team’s figurehead. With nearly a general consensus to name Durkin a captain, Boss said he knew his second baseman was the man to get behind to help the Spartans achieve their goals.

“I didn’t name him captain, it was more at the insistence of our players,” Boss said. “I guess I’m not the smartest guy, but I am smart enough to listen to my guys. They were insistent on it and I thought it was a great idea when they came Senior infielder Dan Durkin (9) swings at a pitch during the game against the University of Minnesota on April 1 at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field. The Spartans were defeated by the Golden Gophers during the first game, 3-2. PHOTO: CHLOE GRIGSBY to me about it.”

Durkin’s journey to leadership has been a prowith a lack of patience in the batter’s box led Before games Durkin comes to the field earcess in the making since he first stepped foot Defying the skeptics ly with teammates to get in more reps before Boss set the bar high for Durkin, a three-year to 18 strikeouts and just six walks. in East Lansing nearly four years ago. Durkin, Durkin’s struggles carried over to his sopho- getting food, only to come back for more cuts a native of Tinley Park, Ill., wears the cap- letter winner at Victor J. Andrew High School tain’s patch with honor — because for him it’s and a two-time captain, in hopes of a player more campaign and his playing time regressed before the start of a game.

“We asked him to do some things that weren’t who would thrive sooner rather than later. As as a result. After starting in 15 games in 2014, personal.

“It means a lot to be the first one to wear that a senior, Durkin hit .430 with 40 RBIs and bat- Durkin started eight in 2015 and played in 16. natural for him and were really tough for him His plate appearances were nearly cut in half to grasp and figure out,” Boss said. “We stuck ‘C’ on your chest,” Durkin said. “I have to give ted a school record .523 as a junior.

In his freshman year, Durkin had to face the from 57 to 34 and for the second-straight year to it longer than we should have and I think it credit to my teammates for bringing it up to really hurt him early on in his career here. To coach. It’s probably the biggest honor I’ve ever growing pains of producing at the college lev- he tallied more strikeouts than hits.

The problem was he was always out in front. his credit, he kept working and that’s somehad, and I didn’t really expect it. I’m just trying el. In 23 games, Durkin hit .228 on 13 hits with to lead by example and represent the Spartans.” little power. Durkin’s uncultivated eye paired His swing wasn’t working and after tireless work thing we really appreciated. He was frustrated with coaches, Durkin was left to his own vices he wasn’t playing and things weren’t going well but he never threw in the towel.” to fix the problem.

Durkin finally broke out last season and “His career here has kind of been up and down,” Boss said. “He had a tough freshman became an All-Big Ten First Team honoree. year. He didn’t play a whole lot, if at all, really Durkin started all 56 games and hit .324 in 207 his sophomore year. We tried to change some at-bats. Durkin’s power surged almost exponenthings with him and with his swing and it just tially to the tune of nine doubles and six home wasn’t working so we kind of let him go. We runs after previously only hit three doubles in finally got out of the way and let him go and his first two seasons.

The trend continues this season. Through 27 he figured it out.”

Determined to get himself out of the rut, games as of April 8, Durkin was hitting .297 and Durkin took swings before and after practice. was third on the team with 33 hits and second on the team with 13 extra base hits.

“I’ll take Dan Durkin in a big spot over any“It’s probably the body in the country because of his knack for biggest honor I’ve the game,” Boss said. “He may not be the fastever had, and I didn’t est guy, he may not have the strongest arm, but that’s the guy who I would like to have up at the really expect it. I’m end of the ballgame.” just trying to lead by Senior reliever and Durkin’s roommate Joe Mockbee said Durkin’s work ethic has rubbed example and represent off on the rest of the team and he credits the the Spartans.” second baseman for the reason the team is hitting a conference-best .300 as a team.

7:00 pm 12:15 pm 8:00 am, 10:00 am, Dan Durkin, “D never takes a play off,” Mockbee said with a Noon MSU baseball captain smirk. “He’s always giving 100 percent, whether that’s in the field, hitting, on the bases or even

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“(Dan Durkin will) always be a guy I’ll give 100 percent for because I know he gives 100 percent for me.”

Joe Mockbee, Senior reliever in the dugout. He’s always helping everyone else out with talking about what the pitchers are throwing and always engaged in everything that he does baseball-wise and off the field.”

A rare honor Boss did away with yearly captains in 2014 in part because not every captain fit the bill for Boss’ leadership standard. As Boss built tenure, he saw some captains were unable to take control of a locker room or lead by example on the field.

That’s where Durkin is different from the rest.

“We did captains when I first got here and then we kind of left it up to our players to vote,” Boss said. “Some of them were reluctant leaders, and I feel like that was a problem. It’s the type of thing you can’t be uncomfortable with. We had guys who were elected captain who didn’t play a whole lot, and that’s something where I feel like you have to be on the field.”

This season already has seen high and low points through the first two series of Big Ten play for the Spartans. MSU swept Illinois to open the conference slate and Durkin finished the weekend 3-for-15, smacked a pair of home runs and helped the Spartans bombard the Illini for 41 runs during the weekend.

MSU’s fortunes came to a screeching halt shortly after, losing a season-worst five straight games to Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan in midweek contests, and a sweep at home against Minnesota.

Though four of the five losses during the skid were decided by a run, it was Durkin’s leadership that kept the morale high and translated into back-to-back wins against Fresno State.

“I don’t know if it’s necessarily a weight, but it’s my job to make sure everything is back to normal,” Durkin said before the start of the Fresno series. “These guys don’t put pressure on me to be like that, but I’ll take it into my hands and get things back on the right track.”

Unlike other Spartans who have come and gone under Boss, Durkin has been able to distinguish himself as the new standard for leadership in Boss’s program.

With the regular season officially in full swing,

Boss said he believes Durkin is the man to help bring MSU to its first Big Ten title since 2011.

“He takes care of his business off the field,” Boss said. “He’s a guy who is able to hold guys accountable. He does it the right way and he’s kind of the guy who rallies the troops so to speak and his personality is that of a natural leader.”

The clock is ticking for Durkin. It’s his last chance to leave a lasting impression in the record books, but Durkin’s greatest accomplishment for the Spartans, however, has been elevating the team’s chemistry to new levels.

Durkin said the key to being a successful leader stems with being a genuine person.

“I treat every guy like they’re important because every guy on this team is important,” he said.

“You’re just as good as your weakest guy, so I just want everyone going out there, playing their hardest and doing everything the right way.”

Through his production and personable nature, Durkin has earned his worth as one of the premier middle infielders in the conference.

“Dan has probably been one of my best friends ever since we got here four years ago, which seems like a year ago,” Mockbee said. “He’s always there to lighten the mood or be serious whenever he needs to be serious. He definitely gets the guys going and ready to play every weekend and weekday.”

Mockbee said he even knew he would be a leader all along.

“D is a born leader,” Mockbee said. “He was even one of our leaders freshman year right when we got here. He was always talking, always being positive with everyone around. I think like everyone else that leadership just evolves each year because you get more comfortable with the people around you.”

When Durkin takes the field against Notre Dame on Tuesday, it will be another midweek effort to make a bid at an NCAA Tournament berth. It’s a cause Durkin can get behind proudly because he knows the rest of the team will get behind him.

“He’ll always be a guy I’ll give 100 percent for because I know he gives 100 percent for me,” Mockbee said.

Senior infielder Dan Durkin (9) watches as a pitch from Minnesota left-handed pitcher Lucas Gilbreath approaches during the game against the University of Minnesota on April 1 at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field. The Spartans were defeated by the Golden Gophers during the first game, 3-2. PHOTO: CHLOE GRIGSBY

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Senior infielder Dan Durkin (9) runs to first base during the game against the University of Minnesota on April 1 at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field. The Spartans were defeated by the Golden Gophers during the first game, 3-2. PHOTO: CHLOE GRIGSBY

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Conference meshes science and religion Speakers pictured during last year’s Muslim Mental Health Conference.

This year’s conference will take place April 13-14 and will center around a variety of overlooked topics concerning Muslims and mental health.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. FARHA ABBASI

ACROSS

1 “__ Noon”: Gary Cooper classic 5 Tippy watercraft 10 “Make it snappy,” in memos 14 Length-times-width calculation 15 Take place 16 Pleasant 17 *Niña and Pinta’s sister ship 19 Camper’s quarters 20 Like some rye bread 21 Number of little pigs, in a fable 22 Decorative theme 24 Crystal ball reader 25 Up to now 28 *Leader of the pack 32 Surfing at one’s desk, say 34 Places for studs 35 Fellow 36 Rod’s fishing partner 37 “__ you go again!”

39 Like Solomon 40 Aunt, in Argentina 41 Fashionably smart 42 Crusty roll 44 *Yale, for five U.S. presidents 47 “SNL” host’s monologue, e.g.

48 Door-to-door cosmetics seller 49 Cavalry sword, in Sussex 51 Kitchen cover-up?

53 Granola alternative

56 Luau torch type 57 Coffee break time ... and a hint to an abbreviation aptly placed in each answer to a starred clue 61 Opinion column, for short 62 Unfamiliar (to) 63 Director Preminger 64 Baseball’s “Amazins” 65 Bamboo lover 66 Karate award

DOWN

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2 Tax-sheltered plans: Abbr.

3 Heredity unit 4 Venomous letters 5 Cleaner sold in green canisters 6 National park in Maine 7 ATM maker 8 Avignon assent 9 Division of history 10 “O Canada,” e.g.

11 *Renamed lemon-lime soft drink 12 Clearasil target 13 Rose of baseball 18 Festoon 21 Lipton products

23 Takes for a sucker 24 Princess Fiona’s beloved ogre 25 Somewhat, informally 26 NBC newsman Roger 27 *Spot for bargain hunters 29 Golfer’s goal 30 Surgical beam 31 January, in Mexico 33 Hawke of “Boyhood” 38 Triple or homer 39 One who scoffs at boxed Merlot, say 41 “Hurry up, will ya?”

43 TV network, e.g.

45 Sidesteps 46 Smashed into 50 “__ sera”: Italian “Good evening” 51 Proton’s place 52 Plumbing unit 54 Calorie-friendly 55 Not domestic, flight-wise: Abbr.

57 Travel guide 58 Dockworker’s gp.

59 Clamorous noise 60 Understood

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BY JOHN LAVACCARE JLAVACCARE@STATENEWS.COM

The ninth annual Muslim Mental Health Conference will be held at the East Lansing Marriott Hotel from April 13-14.

Dr. Farha Abbasi, assistant professor in the MSU Department of Psychiatry, is a member of the program committee who helped create the conference.

“The reason I did this was as a mental health provider, I was concerned that we are living in a very Muslim-majority area, but we were not seeing many Muslim patients at the clinic,” Abbasi said. “I was concerned, what are the barriers to access, and when I started working, I realized there’s a lot of stigma around mental illnesses, and that’s why I created this conference, and the goals of the conference were creating awareness, acceptance and improving access to the care.”

The Muslim Mental Health Conference is open to attendees of all faiths, and it will feature film screenings, group meals and prayer sessions along with panels of experts discussing mental health issues in the Muslim community.

Sohail Chaudhry, the imam at the Islamic Center of East Lansing, will be one of the hosts of the conference. Though religion and science can con-

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www. sudoku.org.uk

flict, Chaudhry said he focuses on working alongside science and providing religious support.

“From the Islamic perspective, there is no contradiction between something that is factually scientific — because it deals with human nature — the human mind and religion, because the source of both is the same, God almighty,” Chaudhry said.

The focus of the 2017 conference will be addiction. Abbasi said there is a stigma around addiction in the Muslim community, but the imams she has talked to want to learn to treat addiction as a sickness rather than as a sin.

“We realized there’s so much stigma around addiction that it’s almost never taken as a disease, it’s taken as weakness of the soul or a sin, that it’s the same if you’re addicted to something,” Abbasi said. “Because we’re going to have so many imams there, we did a preliminary survey last year and a training around opiate epidemic and realized that there is such a huge need, and the imams wanted this training. So leaders realized that this is an issue that needs to come out in the open, and we needed to have a conversation about it.”

Dr. Cynthia Arfken, a researcher from Wayne State University, will be one of the conference’s speakers on the topic of addiction.

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Paz Marfa Sans adjusting to life in the U.S. after moving from Spain

BY LAURA BOHANNON LBOHANNON@STATENEWS.COM

Originally from Barcelona, MSU women’s golf’s freshman Paz Marfa Sans is adjusting to life overseas in East Lansing.

Junior Sarah Burnham, Marfa Sans’ “big sister” and teammate, said the freshman is a great companion to everyone. She said Marfa Sans has offered her words of encouragement when she has had trouble with her game.

Burnham said being a sisterly figure isn’t hard because everyone else takes care of her. She said Marfa Sans has also done a good job taking care of herself.

Aside from competing on the golf course, Marfa Sans has excelled in the classroom, earning a 4.0 grade-point average during her first semester at MSU. The women’s golf team has taken home the award for highest team GPA for the past six years, head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said.

It’s something she and her team are proud of.

Marfa Sans said there were a few significant differences in Michigan compared to back home in Barcelona.

“In Barcelona I’ve never seen snow,” Marfa Sans said. “I never practiced indoors, it was a big difference, in the golf game and especially the weather was very different.”

Marfa Sans said she’s always had the desire to play golf in the U.S. “Since I knew I could go study in the U.S. I knew I wanted to,” Marfa Sans said. “I just love English, and when I went to the movies I was like for sure, I want to go.”

Marfa Sans caught Slobodnik-Stoll’s eye at a tournament in Florida, where Marfa Sans came in second place.

“We just started talking and she was really nice and she gave me confidence, and I was just feeling really comfortable talking to her and I just decided to commit here,” Marfa Sans said.

She said she committed early. Slobodnik-Stoll said Marfa Sans committed prior to getting to MSU’s campus. “(The tournament) happened in December, and I committed in April,” Marfa Sans said.

Marfa Sans said receiving help from tutors during her first semester helped her adjust well to a college curriculum.

Another change for Marfa Sans was playing for a team and not at an individual level, she said. She said she played for Spain’s national team and got a feel for what it would be like playing on a team, though. It wasn’t too big of an adjustment for her and she enjoys playing on a team.

Marfa Sans said two major modifications were getting used to the food here and having all of her classes taught in English.

She said she’s spoken English for a long time.

“All my classes, all the people, and I just didn’t find many people that talk Spanish,” Marfa Sans said. “At my international orientation, I found a few people from Panama that talk Spanish and it was nice to talk to them.”

Along with the food and classes, Marfa Sans said the eating schedule in the U.S. is different compared to the one back home.

“But also, the food, the food is the biggest adjustment ever,” Marfa Sans said.

“For sure. And the time schedule too.

Like, at home I’ll usually eat breakfast at nine ... then maybe have a snack at 11, 12. Then I have lunch at two. And then we have like a snack at six then we have dinner at nine.”

paz marfa sans SEASON STATS EVENTS

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72

BEST PLACE T-44 MASON RUDOLPH CHAMPIONSHIP

Business-preference freshman Paz Marfa Sans practices at the indoor golf course on April 4 at Lasch Family Golf Center in Lansing. “It’s pretty different from back home but I love it. The fact that I’m on a team makes me feel like it’s your family, without a team would have made my adaptation to America and the school so much more difficult.”

Marfa Sans said. Marfa Sans is a student from Barcelona, Spain who came to MSU in August 2016 to play golf. PHOTO: ZAINA MAHMOUD

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Employment

Employment

Apts. For Rent

Houses/Rent

HEY SPARTAN Sport Lovers!

Hope Sports Complex.

Located 5 min from campus.

Looking for part timers at outdoor cafe bar and our facilities. Call 712-7923 for more info!

WORK ON Mackinac Island This Summer - Make lifelong friends. The Island House Hotel and Ryba’s Fudge Shops are seeking help in all areas: Front Desk, Bell Staff, Wait Staff, Sales Clerks, Kitchen, Baristas.

Dorm Housing, bonus, and discounted meals. (906) 8477196. www.theislandhouse. com

348 OAKHILL. Popular 1 & 2 bed apts! Water pd. Move in 8/25/17. One 2 bed unit available for early move in! $100 off 1st Month’s Rent!

Call 517-337-7577. www. crmc1.com

1070 MARIGOLD 4br/ lic 4. W/D. 2 Block from Harrison Rd. Avail. August. $1800/mo Call/txt 517204-7902.

HEY SPARTANS, looking to hire servers + cooks to be part of our team at Spartan Hall of Fame. Please apply within!

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS $17.25 base-appt. Flex sched. around classes. Great resume builder 517-3331700. workforstudentsnow. com R E S E A R C H INTERVIEWERS. Join our research team this summer!

MSU’s Survey Research Lab is hiring telephone interviewers for health and public policy studies. P/T, flexible work schedule, evening and weekend hrs. req. Paid training. $9.75/hr to start. Opportunities for advancement. To apply call 517-353-5404 or come to Room 10, Berkey Hall with your resume.

Apts. For Rent 1 BDRM, 1 bath, affordable luxury, downtown EL. Upgraded avail now. Contact 517-204-7488 316 GUNSON Studios.

Spacious studio apts! Heat/ Water pd. Move in 8/25/17. $100 off 1st Month’s Rent!

Call 517-337-7577. www. crmc1.com

609 W. Grand River. Centrally located 2 bed apts! Heat/ Water pd. Move in 8/21/17. $100 off 1st Month’s Rent!

Call 517-337-7577. www. crmc1.com

Duplexes/Rent 1155 SAGINAW. Great 2 bed duplex! All utilities pd.

Laundry in unit. Pet friendly.

Move in 8/24/17. $100 off 1st Month’s Rent! Call 517337-7577. www.crmc1.com DUPLEX FOR rent. 4 bdrm.

1 & 1/2 bath. w/d. d/w. a/c. bsmt. $1350/mth for 3 rmmts total. Mt Vernon & Hagadorn. Call 517-3237827.

MONDAY, AP RI L 1 0, 201 7

606 SPARTAN ave. lic. for 5.

5 Bed 2 Bath. W/D included Avail. Aug. 2017. Call 989.798.3907.

AVAIL AUG. $325/per. Near MSU/LCC. 4 bed, 2 bth, w/d, d/w, bsmt, 351-0765, hrirentals.com

Textbooks COLLEGEVILLE TEXTBOOK Co. is your source for used textbooks! 321 E. Grand River 517-922-0013

Go State!

T H E STATE N E WS

7

Features

McKenna Ross Features editor features@statenews.com

MSU hosts first Spartan Improv Festival

BY JAIMIE BOZACK JBOZACK@STATENEWS.COM

Mechanical engineering senior Matthew Schomisch, the director of the Roial Improv Players, has spent his whole MSU career dedicating time to the improvisation group.

With his final semester coming to a close, Schomisch went out with a bang by hosting the first ever Spartan Improv Festival on April 7 in the McDonel Hall Kiva.

The festival featured colleges from around the state, including Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University.

Members of the different improv groups joined Schomisch on stage during his second to last show as a Spartan.

“I am always going to love MSU and everything that it has given me and my opportunities to perform,” Schomisch said. “I came to school with some idea of what improv was and some performances, but MSU, the opportunities here really let me shine and have a great time and I loved every minute of it.”

Schomisch introduced each act as the night went along.

“As an improviser you want to perform as much as you can, so you are willing to go improvise and host improvise,” Schomisch said. “Everyone just wants to be out there having a good time. Them traveling and us traveling has always been something people are willing to

do and something people want to do.”

Schomisch said he hoped people would get an inside look at the different forms of improv performed by each group.

“It is always good when you build up a family community within a team,” Schomisch said. “But it’s even kind of a wilder experience to do improv with people you have never met before because you can have an idea where someone’s ideas are coming from by having known them, but if you have no idea who they are it’s a little bit more pure improv because you don’t have any preconceptions or any notions of where they come from.”

After Schomisch graduates, he said there will be two co-leaders who will take over in his place. He said the improv team will look to keep the festival going each year.

Residential College in the Arts and Humanities sophomore Jess Black said she has been on an improv team since her freshman year of high school.

“My experience in the group has been amazing,” Black said. “The people in the group are definitely my second family. It has been really easy stepping in and making new friends and being able to act in this space with them.”

Black said she was excited to work with other improv teams.

“Just kind of a place to showcase improv in a college

Political theory and constitutional democracy junior Cory Jankowiak, left, and advertising sophomore Emily Clark practice a scene on April 5 at Snyder-Phillips Hall. The Roial Improv Players were practicing for MSU’s First Annual Spartan Improv Festival, which occurred on April 7.

setting, and I think that is really cool and exciting and is something new that MSU has never done before,” Black said.

EMU theatre and arts junior Havah

Roussel started EMU’s improv group two and a half years ago. The group is named Unprepared and Confident.

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