News Summary
Michigan State University has initiated its first Upper Peninsula bus tour to strengthen community bonds and explore local opportunities. The three-day Spartan Bus Tour includes visits to various locations, highlighting the unique strengths of the U.P. while engaging educators in discussions about local issues. MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz emphasized the tour’s role in better serving students and communities. The initiative aims to improve research and service through collaborations, showcasing MSU’s commitment to economic development in the region.
East Lansing, Michigan – Michigan State University (MSU) has embarked on its first-ever Upper Peninsula (U.P.) bus tour aimed at bolstering community ties and exploring local opportunities. The three-day Spartan Bus Tour includes visits to various locations throughout the U.P., with the second day dedicated to a tour of the historic Iron Mountain Mine in Vulcan.
The bus tour highlights the unique strengths and partnerships of the U.P., bringing together approximately 70 participating faculty members, including well-known figures such as Tom Izzo. During their visit to the Iron Mountain Mine, educators engaged with the site’s extensive history and its crucial role in supplying iron ore to steel mills.
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz underscored the importance of this tour in enhancing the university’s understanding of how to best serve both students and the surrounding communities. Faculty members are participating in discussions about pressing issues that affect the communities, with a focus on improving research and service through these engagements.
Guskiewicz highlighted that the university is actively involved in efforts related to rural health, indicating that MSU’s medical colleges are making a substantial impact in the U.P. The General Manager of Iron Mountain Mine, Karen Secinaro, brought attention to the region’s ongoing population decline, emphasizing the need for MSU to inspire its graduates to explore job opportunities within the area.
The tour is structured to honor the historical efforts of forefathers in the region while promoting the vitality and prosperity of local communities. Over the course of the Spartan Bus Tour, there will be a total of ten stops across the U.P., showcasing a variety of local attractions and initiatives.
Communities scheduled for visits include Cadillac, Kalkaska, Central Lake, Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, Escanaba, Amasa, L’Anse, Marquette, Munising, Chatham, Naubinway, and Houghton Lake. This initiative reflects MSU’s longstanding commitment to collaborating with U.P. communities in tackling issues related to health, education, sustainability, and economic development.
Furthermore, the program puts a spotlight on MSU’s contributions to local projects and partnerships through direct engagement with community members. The economic impact of MSU statewide is significant, estimated at $6.8 billion, with $40.5 million specifically linked to the Upper Peninsula. Presently, more than 1,400 students from the U.P. and northern Michigan attend MSU, while the region is home to approximately 17,000 alumni.
The Spartan Bus Tour is set to take place biannually, with the primary objective of reinforcing community partnerships across Michigan. By fostering these connections, MSU aims to address communal issues and strengthen relationships that serve both the university and the U.P. at large.
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Additional Resources
- Upper Michigan’s Source: MSU Spartan Bus Tour
- Iron Mountain Daily News: MSU Spartan Bus Tour
- Upper Michigan’s Source: MSU Spartan Bus Tour Video
- Wikipedia: Michigan State University
- Detroit News: Michigan Visitors Bummed
- Storm Skiing: Podcast on Norway Mountain, Michigan
- Google Search: Michigan State University community engagement
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