The ABCs of MSU

With a sprawling campus, a passion for advancing the common good and a proud and faithful fanbase, MSU holds a special place in the hearts of many. And while no two people have the same experience during their time on campus, there’s an undeniable camaraderie that connects Spartans of all ages. The following pages highlight just a few of the things that bind us as a community and make our university great. Some old, some new, some you’ve maybe never heard of. Michigan State’s history is deep and rich, and this collection is a snapshot of what makes us who weare—Spartans.

A – Alumni

First and foremost, we kick off our alphabet with you. Spartans are the foundation of MSU, and your impact resonates all around the globe. Driven by a blend of service, excellence and innovation, MSU alums lead the way in tackling the great challenges of our time. But we also know when to kick back and have a little fun, wearing it proudly inside and out. It's why all around the world, a shout of "Go Green!" will be answered with a spirited "Go White!"

To Spartans everywhere, we celebrate your dedication and all-around love for the university—a place we all call home.

B – Beaumont Tower

In August 1918, the collapse of College Hall—one of the first buildings on campus, which over the years served as a library, classroom space and even a museum—left the Campus Circle area devoid of buildings and vulnerable to new development. Michigan State College alums stepped in, launching “Save the Circle,” a campaign to preserve the area as a sacred space.

Named for 1882 grad John W. Beaumont, whose generous donation made construction possible, the tower was built on the site of College Hall in 1928 and stands as one of the university’s most recognizable icons.

Legend has it, a kiss at midnight or in the tower’s shadow means you’ll marry your sweetheart.

C – Carillon

Beaumont Tower's 49-bell carillon, a fixture on campus, sings out melodies and chimes in the hours of the day. On Wednesdays during the school year, carillonists perform noon concerts featuring various musical selections and styles. In the summertime, the Muelder Summer Carillon Series has welcomed global talent to campus since 1997. Last year's lineup featured carillonists from Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Ottawa, Chicago and Tucson, Ariz.

D – Desire Paths

Placed end to end, the sidewalks on Michigan State's campus could stretch from Spartan Stadium to the beaches of Lake Michigan. The history of these sometimes-complicated walkways reaches back to the university's founding in 1855.

"The early landscape architects didn't know exactly where students would be going and didn't have the money to do paved trails, so you had dirt patterns that eventually became sidewalks," said campus planner Steve Troost. "Today, we do a good job anticipating those desire lines."

Desire Lines. Deviant Trails. Divergent Paths. The idea goes by many different names, but these informal tracks can be found all around the world and play a significant role in the unique exterior landscape at MSU.

The social phenomenon is most apparent in north campus around West Circle Drive, where an intricate web of sidewalks weaves a seemingly chaotic and often bewildering pattern. The latticework is a result of decades of pedestrians proclaiming their preferences—not with their voices but with their feet.

These days, architects better understand the science, and Troost estimates that fewer than 5% of the sidewalks in the more modern south campus result from unexpected trails compared to 75% in north campus.

"The key thing is to make sure you're developing a safe campus," Troost said. "Safety comes first, and we want to make sure sidewalks are being put where they need to be."

E – Extension

MSU's mission reaches far beyond the borders of its campus. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has served as a cornerstone of that mission, helping improve lives by brining the vast resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses.

Whether it's helping grow Michigan's agiculture economy, advocating for the responsible use of sustainable resources, empowering the mental and physical well-being of families, connecting individuals to critical health care programs or preparing tomorrow's leaders, MSU Extension is dedicated to building a strong and prosperous community in all of Michigan's 83 counties.

F – Farm Lane Bridge

Shepherding students, faculty, guests and livestock across the Red Cedar River for generations, the Farm Lane Bridge of today carries 12,000 vehicles and 7,000 pedestrians during a typical class day. In 2024, the bridge was demolished and rebuilt with the addition of a dedicated pedestrian bridge.

G – Gruff Sparty

Unveiled in the mid-50s, Gruff Sparty has made a welcome resurgence in recent years.

H – Homecoming

Each fall, Spartans everywhere come together to celebrate MSU Homecoming. From the Rock to the Red Cedar and all along Grand River, the week is a celebration of all things Green and White.

The MSU community is also encouraged to "Glow Green." By replacing a porch light with a green bulb, Spartans near and far can show their true colors during this festive week.

I – Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, or IPF

A shoutout and a thank-you to the dedicated professionals at MSU's Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, or IPF. From landscaping to custodial services, construction to campus planning, utilities to transportation, tailgate prep to recycling and so much more—IPF is the beating heart of campus life. The experienced team of 1,000 maintains over 550 buildings and 1,822 acres of outdoor spaces. To keep the university running 24/7/365, IPF is committed to supporting the infrastructure needs of the university and providing expert analysis for university objectives.

J – Jenison Field House

Opened in 1940, Jenison Field House is home to multiple Spartan athletic programs, including women's gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling, and men's and women's track and field. The multipurpose arena also houses locker rooms for baseball, rowing, soccer and softball, plus several athletic department offices. Jenison served as the home of Spartan Basketball until 1989, when the team moved to its current location at Breslin Center.

On March 15, 1963, Jenison was the site of the "Game of Change." Considered a watershed moment during the Civil Rights Movement, the basketball game was played during the second round of the 1963 NCAA Tournament between the racially integrated Loyola Ramblers and the all-white Mississippi State Bulldogs. Despite an unwritten law that Mississippi teams could not play against Black players, the Bulldogs broke convention and escaped the injuction of state officials to compete. Loyola won the game 61-51 and went on to capture the NCAA title.

K – Kimball, James H. (B.S., 1912)

Meteorologist who pioneered oceanic weather mapping and helped usher in transatlantic aviation. Kimball worked alongside early transatlantic fliers as chief meteorologist of the New York Weather Bureau. In 1931, he was congratulated by President Herbert Hoover at an honorary dinner given by distinguished aviators, including Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.

L – Longshots

Tom Izzo and the Spartans have had no shortage of magical NCAA Tournament runs—and not just as a top-seeded team. Since 1985, the No. 5 seed has reached the Final Four just nine times. MSU is responsible for two of those runs (2005 and 2010). Throw in a 2015 Final Four appearance as a No. 7 seed and it's clear, the Spartans know their way around March Madness.

M – Museums

Campus is home to two world-class museums:

MSU MUSEUM

Established 1857
Collections: Natural Science, Archaeology, Cultural
Fact: Became Michigan's first Smithsonian Affiliate in 2001.

THE ELI AND EDYTHE BROAD ART MUSEUM

Established 2012
Collection: Over 10,000 works and counting
Fact: The museum's expansive collection covers 5,000 years of art history.

N – Natural Turf

Home to one of the nation's top turfgrass programs, MSU takes great pride in its playing surfaces. The Spartans have played on natural grass since 2002. Before that, Spartan Stadium was home to a natural surface from 1923 until 1968.

"In my opinion, the main benefit of a grass field is the forgiveness of the surface," says Athletic Turf Manager Andy Flynn, '03. "It's ability to absorb impact sets it apart."

O – Office of Education Abroad

An international institution devoted to cultivating globally engaged citizens, MSU has been a leader in education abroad for more than 25 years and is ranked No. 1 among public universities (No. 8 overall) by U.S. News & World Report.

Through more than 300 programs in over 60 countries and all seven continents, thousands of Spartans interact with different cultures to gain meaningful skills that position them for academic success.

The office also welcomes international students through the American Semester Program and facilitates exchanges between MSU and partner institutions.

P – Pentecost Plaza at Old College Field

Nestled between Jenison Field House and the Red Cedar River, Pentecost Plaza at Old College Field is the gateway to MSU's oldest athletic facility still in continuous use. Home today to Spartan baseball, softball and soccer, the land has hosted MSU Baseball—the school's first varsity sport—since 1900. The field was also used by the football team from 1902 until 1923 when College Field, now the site of Spartan Stadium, opened.

Q – Quantum Computing, Science and Engineering, aka MSU-Q

The Center for Quantum Computing, Science, and Engineering (MSU-Q) is one of the world's largest quantum training programs. For over two decades, Spartan researchers have been at the forefront of innovation, offering a rich breadth of quantum algorithm, theory and experiment expertise.

"In the future, the use of quantum computers will be everywhere, regardless of field," said Angela Wilson, director of MSU-Q. "Quantum computers are predicted to take the place of computers as we know them."

R – The Rock

A place of love and fellowship, The Rock stands as a social billboard for Michigan State students. In May 1873, The Rock was dug up by Spartan students on summer recess and hauled by a team of oxen to its original site near what is now Beaumont Tower.

Originally a romantic spot for couples and the site of many proposals, it wasn't until the 1960s that it transformed into a place for student expression. In 1985, The Rock was relocated to its current location on Auditorium Field.

S – Sparty

MSU's first mascot—a papier-mache Spartan head made by three Theta Xi fraternity brothers—debuted at a Jenison Field House pep rally in October 1955. It was 6 feet tall and weighed more than 60 pounds.

By the 1956 Rose Bowl Game (MSU 17, UCLA 14), the original head had been replaced by a fiberglass version that was 30 pounds lighter.

In 1985, MSU Alumni Association Executive Director Chuck Webb commissioned artwork of a muscular Sparty in full body armor, laying the groundwork for the mascot we know today.

Early in 1989, a group came together to design and revamp the MSU mascot. Sparty would reflect MSU's strength and character as an "approachable, fierce yet kind, man for all seasons." The new Sparty made his first Spartan Stadium appearance on Sept. 16, 1989.

T – Trees

Campus is adorned with over 20,000 trees, some hundreds of years old and more planted each year.

At nearly 400 years old, the Resilient Oak (pictured here) is a true survivor. The oldest tree on campus was topped in the mid-1800s, has had much of its root system cut to install sidewalks, and survived a particularly violent storm in the summer of 2016.

The Resilient Oak still stands today on the land between the MSU Museum and Linton Hall.

Dig into the Campus tree map at go.msu.edu/tree-map

U – The Union

When the MSU Union opened its doors on June 12, 1925, Spartan students and alums saw a decades-long labor of love come to life. Spurred by a $15 contribution from each student in the Class of 1915, it wasn't until 1923 that construction began. Funding was scarce, but Spartans Will prevailed as students, faculty and community members gathered to dig the building's foundation. Dubbed "Excavation Week," the one-of-a-kind event was a huge success that gained national attention and led to the creation of a campus icon.

Read the full story: go.msu.edu/msu-union

V – Veterinary Medicine

MSU boasts the only college of veterinary medicine in Michigan

The Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) educates the next generation of veterinarians, veterinary specialists and nurses. It also provides the latest specialty care and clinical research for all animals, from cats and dogs to horses, livestock and wildlife. More than 30,000 cases come to the VMC each year.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Center (VDL) provides diagnostic testing and is a first line defense in safeguarding Michigan's domestic animals and wildlife from deadly disease. The VDL alerts public health officials to the presence of zoonotic diseases (transmissible from animals to humans) and partners with state and federal agencies to monitor and prepare for threats that may impact animal or human health.

W – WKAR and WDBM

In early 1922, a group of 10 engineering students at Michigan Agricultural College dusted off radio equipment in storage since the end of World War I. Eschewing a philomathic pursuit, the students broadcasted a lewd prank intended for residents of Wells Hall. Instead, the salacious transmission reached a 15-mile radius, setting off both protests and curiousity.

More experimental broadcasts, including a speech by MAC President David Friday, put the fledgling station on a fast track to legitimacy. Federally licensed on Aug. 18, 1922, WKAR has dutifully served as a source for award-winning original programming, local news and the best from PBS and NPR for the mid-Michigan and Spartan communities.

Offering both AM and FM radio transmission along with public-broadcast television from its headquarters in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building, WKAR's mission is to connect people to powerful ideas, inspire personal growth, exploration of the world and positive change.

Michigan State is also home to WDBM, known as Impact 89FM, a student-run college radio station. WDBM began broadcasting in 1989 and is one of the few student-run stations to broadcast 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Since 2001, WDBM has been named "College Radio Station of the Year" 15 times.

X – Xylograph

Xylograph, noun: a carving or engraving in wood. This intricately carved Michigan State College emblem dates to 1945 and can be found at the east entrance of Linton Hall. Doors and woodwork across campus are maintained by MSU IPF cabinet makers, who preserve, restore and, when needed, create new pieces.

Y – Yakeley, Elida

You likely know her name from the North Neighborhood residence hall. But did you know Elida Yakeley was Michigan State's first registrar? Starting out as President Jonathan L. Snyder's secretary in 1903, she oversaw student registration and records and is credited with devising one of the first automated student enrollment and registration systems.

In 1908, Snyder appointed her the inaugural registrar, making Yakeley one of the first female college administrators in the country. She held the position for 30 years. Yakeley Hall—currently the only all-female residence hall on campus—opened in 1948.

Z – Zeke the Wonder Dog

The fan-favorite frisbee-catching canine has been a staple at Spartan Stadium since the 1970s.

There's no way we can fit all the great things about MSU onto this page. Email SpartanMagazine@msu.edu and tell us what you'd add to the ABCs of MSU!