T H U R S DAY, JAN UARY 15, 2026 STATENEWS.COM
Michigan State’s Independent Voice
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. EDITION
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026 Vol. 116 | No. 10
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X MSU students participate in a march on Jan. 12, 1987 to remember the birthday of civil rights leader and icon Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Decades later, King’s legacy continues to inspire students on campus. State News file photo.
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MSU BOASTS $6.8B ECONOMIC IMPACT, CALLS FOR MORE STATE FUNDING By Julia Roeder jroeder @statenews.com Michigan State University contributed $6.8 billion to Michigan’s economy during fiscal year 2024 through spending on research, employee salaries and alumni earnings, according to a report released Tuesday morning. The report, commissioned by an advocacy group representing Michigan public universities, comes after state funding for those institutions was challenged by state Republicans last year. Now, as the state Legislature begins drafting next year’s budget, MSU and its public peers are making the case for the state’s continued financial support. The report found that Michigan’s 15 public universities collectively contributed $45 billion dollars to the state’s economy during fiscal year 2024. MSU’s share of that contribution was $6.8 billion, or roughly 15%. The public institutions’ collective economic impact included over $7 billion in tax revenue for the state, $1.7 billion generated by students in local economies and 63,801 new jobs, according to the study conducted by Anderson Economic Group. The study also credited public universities with driving $15 billion in higher salaries for their graduates. In a public discussion held Tuesday with business and healthcare leaders and other college
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Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz speaks during the MSU Board of Trustees meeting at Hannah Administration Building in East Lansing, Michigan on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Photo by Ari Saperstein.
presidents, MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz emphasized the university’s role in spurring economic growth and drew attention to the institution’s $932 million research investment. Guskiewicz also highlighted two university projects — the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and a program to monitor wastewater in the state — as examples of MSU creating new jobs in Michigan. “Research institutions function as not only taxrevenue each year, reflecting the broad economic value created through research work-force development, healthcare and innovation (...), but as long term economic assets for Michigan,” Guskiewicz said during the discussion.
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The institutions generated an estimated $45 billion in economic impact in fiscal year 2024, while the state provided them with $1.6 billion in appropriations, according to the report. Participants in the discussions, such as Michigan Tech President and chair of the Michigan Association of State Universities Rick Koubek, said that statistic shows public investment in higher education to be a good deal for the state. “This study underscores a simple truth,” Koubek said in a press release. “Investing in Michigan’s public universities isn’t just good education policy — it’s smart economic policy.” The conversation on the economic benefits of
public institutions in Michigan coincided with recent political battles over how much taxpayer money should go toward public colleges. Last year, Michigan House Republicans sought to cut $56.6 million of state funding to MSU before backing down. The final state budget included a 2.1% funding boost to the university. How much money MSU and other public institutions will receive from the state for fiscal year 2027 will be decided by the Legislature later this year. As president, Guskiewicz has spent considerable effort positioning MSU as a key player in the state’s economy and promoted its usefulness to all 83 Michigan counties. In October 2024, just a month after becoming president, Guskiewicz embarked on the inaugural “Spartan Bus Tour,” in which he and other MSU leaders toured various Michigan communities to hear from residents and identify potential academic economics and outreach partnerships. In April 2025, Guskiewicz also chartered a collective of business and university leaders, called the Green and White Council, with the goal of launching projects to help MSU bolster the state’s workforce and economy. And at the Tuesday discussion, Guskiewicz said that MSU and other public institutions “have a role to play” in addressing Michigan’s declining population, which is expected to drop by 1.3% through 2025, according to the state.
Photo by Ari Saperstein.
By Lucas Gentilia lgentilia@statenews.com Before the basketball season tipped off, the Spartans’ biggest concern was who would be the team’s go-to scorer. Through 17 games, they’ve found him. Jeremy Fears Jr. has established himself as Michigan State’s leader, both on and off the court, serving as the conduit for much of the team’s offense. His keen spatial awareness and smooth shot have made him a constant problem for opposing teams all season. MSU controlled Indiana on defense all night and went on a 19-0 run late to seal an 81-60 victory, led by Fears. Fears scored a career-high 23 points on a 10-assist double-double. In the first half alone, he put up 19 points, scoring the first 10 Spartan points of the game. Even in MSU’s 21-point victory, the stats don’t say it all for MSU’s point guard. Fears, always the first outlet in transition, consistently found open teammates, even in the smallest of windows. It’s his ball movement — more than his scoring — that has made him a critical contributor to MSU’s success, even as he averages more than 12 points per game. Head Coach Tom Izzo said Fears is the life of this team, and when he is at his best, everyone is. “All in all, I thought that was one of Jeremy’s best games,” Izzo said. “He defended pretty well. He pushed the ball exceptionally well. He shot the ball pretty well. As I said all along, when the head is good, the body’s good; when the head dies, the body dies, and he is our head. The better he plays, I think the better we play.” Fears said he couldn’t ask for anything more, adding that he tries to stay confident and keep pushing,
MSU Field Hockey coach Helen Knull resigns after 15 seasons
CAREER NIGHT FOR FEARS POWERS MSU TO WIN OVER INDIANA trusting that good things will eventually happen. After suffering a season-ending gunshot injury in 2023, Fears played his first full season in East Lansing last year. With Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson no longer in the lineup, Fears was bound to see more minutes. He averaged 7.2 points, 5.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds last season; this year, he’s putting up 12 points, 8.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds. The numbers don’t jump off the page, especially compared with the Big Ten’s top scorers, who average more than 20 points per game. Still, Fears knows how to win. After MSU topped Northwestern last week, he said he’s “always looking for the best way to win, sometimes that isn’t me.” The redshirt sophomore has taken this team into his own hands and has become the central leader of MSU, especially on defense. Per CBBAnalytics, MSU holds teams to 14 fewer points per 100 possessions when Fears is on the court compared to off; additionally, the team has a much higher pace, allowing for easy transition baskets. After the game, Fears chuckled when asked if he thinks he can be one of the best Spartan point guards under Izzo. He took a moment to answer, saying he just wants to do what’s best for the team. “I just try to win games, whatever I need to do to help the team win, I’m willing to do, and that’s the only thing that matters,” Fears said. Tuesday night, Fears had his third double-double of the season and continued to rank second in the country in assists per game. In the first 14 minutes of the game, Fears netted 17 points with an assist, playing a part in 20 of MSU’s 21 points at the time. When the team as a whole had slow stretches, they counted on
FEARS STATS VS INDIANA
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him to elevate his own play. To this point in the season, Fears’ calling card has been his drive and kick to the corner for an open 3. Tonight, he capitalized on that scouting report and scored with authority without unnecessary passes. Third-year teammate of Fears, Jaxon Kohler, who scored 16 points with 10 rebounds for his 10th doubledouble of the year, said it was amazing watching Fears dominate. “There’s so much I want to say, because he’s so good, man,” Kohler said. “He was so good tonight, just from the start, he attacked.” Kohler did a lot for MSU when Fears couldn’t against the Hoosiers. The senior forward is the central piece of MSU’s rebounding attack, with a killer 3-point shot to match. The two’s relationship has grown a lot over the years, and Kohler said he’s thankful for Fears’ leadership throughout. “We’ve come such a long way, honestly,” Kohler said. “He’s been so amazing about being the leader of this team. One area of growth that he has that’s been amazing is not being too consumed by his own stats. He’s been really good at trying to find people in the right spots and equalizing everybody’s scoring opportunities.” After this season, Fears still has two years of eligibility, and with a top-five recruiting class on the way, the team is poised to grow. This year, MSU has the pieces, the skill and the right coach to make another deep March run — and as the Spartans move toward the end of the season, there’s no doubt Fears will be at the center of it all.
By Genevieve Henry ghenry@statenews.com Michigan State field hockey coach Helen Knull has resigned after 15 seasons leading the program, the longest tenure in program history. Her departure closes a chapter defined not only by competitive success but also by her commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field. In her 15 seasons as head coach, Knull owned a 108-157-0 record, with the second most wins in program history. Michele Madison, who led the team from 1995-2005, earned 155 victories in 13 seasons. Before Knull was named head coach in 2011, she was an assistant coach under Rolf van de Kerkhof from 2006 to 2010. As an assistant, she helped the team to a record of 74-34-0, laying the groundwork for her successful tenure to follow. Knull led the Spartans to win the 2013 Big Ten Championship and earned 2013 NFHCA West Region Coach of the Year. She coached three NFHCA All-Americans, 15 All-Region picks, and 22 All-Big Ten selections, including seven first-team honorees. “It has been an honor and a privilege to coach at Michigan State,” said Knull. “The future of MSU Athletics is bright, and I’m excited to remain a fan and supporter of all our programs. Spartan Pride never dies.” Knull’s legacy extends beyond the field into the classroom and the broader world. She aimed to “develop the next generation of strong, confident women who will leave Michigan State ready to take on the world.” During her tenure, her teams produced 216 Academic All–Big Ten selections, 80 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars and 216 NFHCA Scholars. In the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025,
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Knull’s athletes earned team GPAs of 3.79 and 3.82, respectively. Her emphasis on academics is evident throughout the program. In 2024, Knull coached Ashley Harlock, the program’s first First Team Academic All-American, a Rhodes Scholarship nominee and a Marshall Scholarship finalist, reflecting the standards Knull set for her athletes and her ongoing commitment to excellence. “Beyond the field of competition, her student-athletes were among the department’s highest academic achievers and were regularly involved in leadership opportunities a n d i m p a c t f u l c o m mu n i t y outreach initiatives,” Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics J Batt said in an MSU Athletics press release. Knull’s own journey is a unique one, hailing from overseas. Born in Scotland, Knull played for the National U-16 and U-18 teams before pursuing her college degree in the United States. She was a two-time AllAmerican at Kent State, where she began her coaching career. After 15 years, however, it’s East Lansing that she has made her home. According to MSU Athletics, she will be pursuing employment outside of the sports industry while MSU will immediately start the search for her replacement. Whoever replaces Knull will have quite the legacy of athletic and academic achievement to live up to. “To the Spartans I’ve had the honor of coaching — thank you. Thank you for choosing Michigan State and for impacting my life,” Knull said. “From lifting Big Ten trophies to late-night road trips and everything in between, the memories are endless, and I am grateful for the role I’ve been able to play in each of your lives.” STATEN EWS.CO M
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MSU HOSTS EVENTS FOR MLK DAY CELEBRATION COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
By Lily Cole lcole@statenews.com MSU will host a myriad of events to celebrate MLK Day on Jan. 19, including a community dinner, discussions and a pop-up exhibition showcasing the legacy and lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Every year we pick a theme, and this year the committee chose ‘Justice for All: A Legacy of Courage and Commitment,’” MSU Outreach and Engagement Manager of Inclusive Excellence and Impact Florensio Hernandez said. “This theme really resonated with people. They loved it.” Hernandez said the theme’s importance this year is unity and bringing the campus together. “It’s really about acknowledging and learning from one another, and also revisiting the past, but also looking at things in a different way, seeing how things have evolved, and sort of just be within the community,” Hernandez said.
ALL WEEK
From Jan. 19 through Feb. 28, the MSU Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration Planning Committee will host the MLK Commemorative Celebration Stuff the Library Event. This event aims to help school libraries get more books about social justice and characters from different backgrounds. The event works with local schools and organizations to raise awareness of social justice and promote books featuring diverse characters, stories and authors.
THURSDAY, JAN. 15 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY UNITY DINNER
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Unity Dinner, hosted by Residence Education and Housing Services, the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact and the Residence Halls Association, will be held at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in the Big Ten Rooms from 5-7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 4:45 p.m. The buffet-style dinner and program will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, featuring food, music, speakers, remarks from MSU leaders and the announcement of the MLK Endowed Scholarship recipients. The dinner will feature a keynote speaker, Dr. Terry Flennaugh, Dean of Access and Community Engagement in the Department of Teacher Education. He is also an associate professor at MSU who studies race, culture and equity in education, with a focus on the experiences of students of color in urban schools. 6
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From 9-10:30 a.m. in Chittenden Hall, Room 110, the MSU Women of Color Community will host Coffee and Conversation featuring Dr. LaShawn D. Harris, moderated by Dean of The Graduate School Pero G. Dagbovie. The conversation will discuss the contributions, challenges, and legacy of black women in civil rights, equity and social justice. Registration for this event can be done online.
MLK LUNCH AND LEARN: THE LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP OVER THE DECADES
MSU Council of Racial and Ethnic Students (CORES) and the Council of Advocacy and Marginalized Students (CAMS) will host a lunchand-learn for students from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Multicultural Center, in rooms 1015 and 1020 (multipurpose rooms A and B). The event will feature alums from CORES and CAMS who will share stories and engage in discussion with current students on the journey to justice as envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “We want alumni to come back and talk about their experiences and how MSU has evolved,” Hernandez said. “(This event) is about connecting students with alumni and seeing how leadership has transformed over time.” Pre-registration is not required, and a free lunch will be available to the first 150 students.
SUNDAY, JAN. 18
Join the MSU College of Music for its Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert at Fairchild Theatre starting at 3 p.m. This annual concert will feature performances from MSU Jazz Orchestras and jazz vocalist Carmen Bradford, joined by MSU jazz voice students, blending music and message to honor Dr. King’s legacy. The event is free and open to the public; however, tickets are required for entry. Tickets can be purchased online.
TUESDAY, JAN. 20
On Jan. 20, WKAR, MSU Libraries, MSU Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, MSU AJB and MSU Communication Solutions for a Diverse Society will host Finding Your Voice with Your Vote, a panel discussion featuring Christina Myers, associate professor in the school of journalism; Suchrita Webster, co-chair of MSU Vote; and Chris Swope, Lansing City Clerk. The panel will be moderated by Sophia Saliby, WKAR local “All Things Considered” host, reporter and producer.
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Held in WKAR Studio A in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building, the event will discuss the history of voting rights, break down how voting is counted and show how anyone can harness this essential tool of democracy to honor the legacy of past advocates. Event project coordinator for WKAR, Emily Mata-Garnaat, said the goal for the event is to inspire people to utilize their vote, which has been fought for over hundreds of years. “Right now, especially, it’s important to do what we can and utilize our civic duty to voice our opinions,” Mata-Garnaat said. This event is open to the public; however, reg ist rat ion is appreciated and can be done online.
Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and MSU Health Sciences will host an MLK Day observance at the Multicultural Center, room 1015. Online options are available for off-campus individuals. This event will feature a discussion with MSU alumnus and radiologist, Michael Henderson, whose work focuses on osteopathic patient care and community-based medicine. Dr. Henderson also works to train future leaders and researchers by teaching whole-person care, cultural awareness, and empowering young people. Registration is required by Jan. 20 and can be done online.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21
MSU’s Honors College will host the 9th annual university-wide Diversity Research Showcase at Campbell Hall from 1:30-4:45 p.m. This event will showcase student research and the many voices working to make a difference. The Diversity Research Showcase gives undergraduate students a chance to share their projects with peers, faculty, staff and community members in a welcoming, supportive environment. The event features research on many topics, including cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, international, LGBTQIA2S+, disability and political diversity. The showcase highlights how student research can help create a more inclusive world. The event will conclude with a short ceremony recognizing top poster and presentation projects, followed by cash awards. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required and can be done online.
On Jan. 21, MSU Libraries will host a pop-up exhibition on the first-floor seminar room highlighting historical marches and commemorating the anniversary of the March on Washington, a pivotal moment in Dr. King’s legacy. This few-hour pop-up will showcase a collection of 40 protest posters compiled at the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington in 1963. In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement, African Studies Librarian at MSU Libraries Erik Ponder, traveled to Washington, D.C. to collect protest posters from marches that echoed the original March on Washington – where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech – and brought them back to MSU’s Special Collections to highlight ongoing issues like racism, police brutality and racial violence against African Americans. “The library is really looking forward to the pop-up exhibit,” Ponder said. “We hope the entire week will be spectacular.” The event will also feature a digital exhibit upstairs showcasing a 10-minute virtual tour of the National Civil Rights Museum, available in a loop for students to experience in the Digital Scholarship Lab.
THURSDAY, JAN. 22
On Jan. 22, the College of Human Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Osteopathic
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On Jan. 26, the MSU College of Nursing will host a virtual conversation about storytelling as a pathway to empathy, featuring author of The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis, Maria Smilios. The discussion will include talks about how storytelling can foster empathy and deepen understanding of health equity. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required and can be done online.
FROM CONGRESS TO CAMPUS: THE FIGHT TO ESTABLISH MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY By Demonte Thomas dthomas@statenews.com First signed into law in 1983 and first observed in 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the birthday of the civil rights leader while honoring decades of activism that helped transform his vision of equality into lasting change. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing King’s birthday as a national holiday on Nov. 3, 1983, 15 years after the proposal was first introduced in the wake of King’s assassination in 1968. The path to federal recognition, however, was long and fiercely contested.
PUSH FOR DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Four days after King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, U.S. Rep. John Conyers of Michigan introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to create a federal holiday honoring King’s life and legacy. The effort failed repeatedly over the next decade, struggling to garner enough support in Congress.
As the years passed, public backing for the holiday steadily increased, intensifying pressure on lawmakers. Cultural influence also played a role. In 1981, Grammy Award–winning artist and Michigan native Stevie Wonder released the song “Happy Birthday,” which contributed to the movement’s turning point in establishing the holiday. In 1983, the House took up the legislation once again — 14 years after it was first introduced. Following renewed marches, public demonstrations and advocacy, the bill passed by a vote of 338–90. It then advanced to the Senate, where it was approved 78–22.
A TURNING POINT AND LONG TIME COMING
In 1983, Reagan signed the bill into law after more than a decade of legislative gridlock, with King’s widow and the holiday’s strongest advocate, Coretta Scott King, standing beside him. “But traces of bigotry still mar America, so each year on Martin Luther King Day, let us not only recall Dr. King but rededicate ourselves to the commandments he believed in and sought
to live every day,” Reagan said at the signing. Although the bill became law in 1983, official observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day did not begin until 1986. Several states initially declined to recognize the holiday, and it was not until 2000 that all 50 states formally observed it.
EARLY RECOGNITION BY SPARTANS
Michigan State University began recognizing King’s birthday as a day of celebration in 1980, six years before it became a federally observed holiday. That year, an MSU graduate student founded the Committee Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., launching campus-wide events honoring King’s legacy. Since then, the university has held annual celebrations highlighting King’s work and its continued relevance. In 2000, the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact began coordinating MLK-related activities and later succeeded in endowing a scholarship program in King’s name in 2003. Among the most visible traditions is the annual MLK Commemorative March, during which the university closes to allow students, faculty and
staff to observe the holiday. Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact Communications Manager Henry Mochida said as part of the university’s commitment to education, service and community engagement, MSU has a long history of recognizing and celebrating MLK Day. “For decades, MSU has marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day with programming that invites students, staff, faculty and community members to reflect on Dr. King’s teachings and their relevance to the work of higher education and a democratic society,” Mochida said. Now, more than four decades later, the program continues to grow, aiming not only to honor King’s life, but also to reaffirm the pursuit of justice, equity, and dignity he envisioned, goals that many continue to strive toward today. “MSU remains committed to honoring Dr. King’s legacy not only through annual observances, but through ongoing efforts that promote access, opportunity and excellence in teaching, research and outreach and engagement throughout the year,” Mochida said.
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