Every year, more than two million faculty members, students, staff and community members pass through what has been called the front porch of the university: the north entrance of the MSU Main Library near Circle Drive.
It is a space that is currently dominated by concrete and stairs. But soon, a visionary project will transform this heavily trafficked but underutilized space into a vibrant, accessible and welcoming outdoor hub for the entire Spartan community.
Michigan State University is proud to announce a recent gift of $2 million from the Forest Akers Trust has initialized fundraising efforts for the North Plaza renovation project.
Including their generous gift, approximately $2.2 million dollars has been raised toward the $7M fundraising goal. This effort reflects the spirit of MSU’s Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign.
“This moment reflects the impact of our campaign in action, and the enduring leadership of the Forest Akers Trust,” says University Advancement Vice President Kim Tobin. “For more than 50 years, the Trust has been a steadfast partner in shaping Michigan State through its consistent investing in spaces, experiences and opportunities that elevate student life. We are deeply grateful for their continued vision and generosity, which builds on a remarkable legacy and will inspire connection and community for generations to come.”
Grounded in research on the benefits of time spent collaborating and being outdoors, the renovation will create an enduring footprint and connect the Main Library’s study and gathering areas with the natural beauty of campus. More importantly, the plaza revitalization will directly impact thousands of students every day.
“The North Plaza renovation project will bring a much needed, permanent accessible entry to the Main Library’s front entrance,” says Heidi Schroeder, MSU Libraries Accessibility Coordinator and Liaison to MSU's Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. “Having an accessible and welcoming front entrance will help ensure all students and visitors feel like they belong at the MSU Libraries.”
No longer will students need to circle around to the south entrance for accessible entry or wait until they get inside the doors to find community study areas. All these resources will spill into the newly renovated North Plaza, surrounded by refreshing gardens of native Michigan plants along wide, meandering pathways, energy-efficient lighting, a variety of community spaces with movable tables and chairs and study areas with power outlets and robust Wi-Fi access.
As the North Plaza sits at a crossroads of campus, near Beal Garden, the MSU Museum and the College of Music, the plaza will become an inclusive, interdisciplinary space for nearby colleges and units.
These main themes of accessibility, green space and community are the foundation of the North Plaza renovation project; themes that also closely align with the mission of the Forest Akers Trust, which aims to support projects or programs that enhance student life on campus and are widely available for student use.
The Trust is named after Forest H. Akers, who majored in forestry at MSU (when it was known as the Michigan Agricultural College) from 1905 to 1908. He later rose to become Vice President of Chrysler Corporation’s Dodge Division in 1938. Akers went on to serve 18 years on the State Board of Agriculture, MSU’s governing board.
A generous supporter of the university, Forest H. Akers funded the construction of two golf courses, established scholarships for student-athletes and those involved in athletics and provided financial assistance to students in need.
Since its establishment in the 1960s, the Forest H. Akers Trust Fund has been a steadfast supporter of Michigan State University and its student body.
Notable investments include the MSU Museum Renovation, the Forest Akers Spartan Green Field Maintenance Endowment + Study Abroad Endowment, the Bessey Hall & Spartan Marching Band Field Renovations, the Endowed Fund for Entrepreneurial Developments and the Broad Art Museum and REC East Field Project.
In recognition of its $2 million gift supporting the North Plaza project, the Plaza Center Stage will be named for the Forest Akers Trust. The stage will be the focal point of the project, used to host a wide range of activities including:
- Outdoor classes and departmental receptions.
- Student organization fairs and wellness events like campus yoga.
- Small-scale musical performances and art installations in partnership with the College of Music and MSU Museum.
- Library-hosted welcome week events and community open houses.
As the momentum continues to build around the North Plaza renovation project, many naming opportunities remain. Spartans are coming together to create a dynamic “front porch” that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and nurtures a deep sense of belonging for all.
One thing that will always be remembered as part of the North Plaza is the fountains, which were a gift from the classes of 1968, 1981 and 1983. While the fountains themselves have reached the end of their lifecycle, the university will commemorate the fountains and recognize the contributions of the classes who gifted them.
MSU Libraries plans to break ground on the renovation in summer 2027.
Once the plaza becomes a reality, one thing is certain — in the years to come, Forest Akers Trust will be remembered as the catalyst that set the foundation for this vibrant new space that will benefit everyone at the university and within the larger East Lansing community. No longer will it be a passthrough with limited access but an outdoor oasis where all Spartans can gather, imagine and discover endless possibilities.
Launched in 2024, the $4 billion Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign is MSU’s bold effort to advance student success, accelerate research and innovation and strengthen the university’s impact across Michigan and beyond. To date, and thanks to the support of donors like the Forest Akers Trust, the campaign has raised more than $1.8 billion.
Learn more about Uncommon Will, Far Better World and how to support the campaign’s priorities and help shape MSU’s future.