Muhammad Ali once said of champions: they are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision.
George and Janet Eyster surely are champions. And you might be too.
The Eysters, both retired from the MSU faculty, stepped up to be 2019 Give Green Day Champions to help fund scholarships for students in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The couple have contributed $7,500 and challenged the alumni and friends of the college to match (and hopefully surpass) that amount to help the next generation of veterinarians.
Give Green Day is an annual 24-hour campaign to engage Spartans and friends of MSU in giving back to support students at MSU. Taking place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving—December 3 for this year—the day will harness the power of social media to raise funds for more than 30 projects across campus.
MSU’s current and retired faculty and staff have played a significant role in the success of Give Green Day over the past three years, championing efforts in the areas of MSU that mean the most to them, and also, giving nearly 18 percent of the total dollars raised. In 2018 alone, 943 faculty and staff members gave $148,116.
“There’s something about this place that gets to you,” says George. “I can’t imagine being in any place else. And contributions for scholarships is a small way where you can pay back.”
Janet agrees, saying “Each of us found careers in this area and we never looked back. This has been our home and Michigan State is central to that.”
Dawn Baker, MSU’s IT Chief of Staff, is another Give Green Day Champion, stepping up for the MSU Museum.
“There’s so many reasons to support the MSU Museum,” Dawn says. “Programs like Science on a Sphere make science more accessible for everyone, bringing global data, information, learning and patterns right to your fingertips.”
She recently made a video to show her support and come, December 3, she’ll be reaching out to her networks to bring attention to a fund to support the museum’s outreach.
“The faculty, staff and retirees of MSU are the strongest advocates for all the good that we are capable of as an institution,” says President Samuel Stanley Jr. “Through your philanthropy and your support of the programs and causes that matter to you, you are leading by example, showing the world that you believe in MSU and trust that your treasure will support the greater good in the same way that your time and talents do. For that, I am profoundly grateful.”
Learn more about Give Green Day 2019 at givingday.msu.edu.
Lois Furry, '89