THE WORLD’S STAGE
Some might call it a magnum opus. But to the Spartans who are busy prepping the playing surface for the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup, it’s just another day at the office.
Same with the grads who walked across the stage this May, moving forward and moving on with ambitions to affect positive change.
And the teachers educating other teachers on new ways to engage students in the classroom and the world. All in a day’s work.
But any Spartan will tell you, no job is a one[1]person gig. Every success is shared success—built on the backs of our colleagues, partners and confidants. The stories in this issue bring that simple idea to life: We don’t get where we’re going without the people around us.
Be well, Spartans,
Tim Cerullo, ’08
EDITOR, SPARTAN MAGAZINE
Letters
SPARTAN EXEMPLAR
I just wanted to thank you for the article on Jan. My family has sat beside her and George (before he passed) for many years in Spartan Stadium. Her husband and my grandfather, H.G. Mitchell, were great friends back in the day.
She is the epitome of a Spartan!
Mike Mitchell, ’96
CHELSEA, MI
Love Jan! She was my favorite prof in the ’70s and I was lucky enough to work with her again during my teaching career. A strong woman with a lot of energy and a very kind heart.
Debbie Seal, ’77
PORTLAND, MI (via Facebook)
MENTORSHIP LEARNED AND SHARED
Your uplifting story involving Shweta Adsul and Irv Nichols (Bridging Generations, Winter 2025) brings to mind memories of my professional life both before and after grad school at MSU. I came to campus after working in satellite-assisted distance learning in remote island states in the South Pacific. I learned at State the importance of establishing, nurturing and sustaining personal relationships, which served me well for 30 years in graduate student academic support at the University of California, Irvine.
They are precious people, Shweta and Irv, each equally enriched by the other.
John Sommerhauser, M.A. ’87
RIVERSIDE, CA