WebProNews

Tag: Michigan State University

  • Michael Moore To Address Graduating Class At Michigan State University

    Two opposing sides of the political spectrum are well represented in the upcoming graduation at Michigan State University. Michael Moore, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind Fahrenheit 9/11 stands for the Liberal side, while conservative columnist George Will stands for the other.

    The President of MSU, Lou Anna K. Simon, noted the dynamic combination of the commencement speakers for their graduation. “The respectful exchange of differing viewpoints is a marker of the healthy intellectual environment Michigan State models,” she said at a recent interview with The Detroit News.

    Both Will and Moore will receive honorary degrees for their contributions. Will is slated to address the graduates from the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities and James Madison College at the ceremony, while Moore will address the undergraduates from the colleges of Engineering, Natural Science, and Communication Arts.

    Moore is known for his thought-provoking documentaries like Bowling for Columbine and Capitalism: A Love Story which talked about gun laws and the economy, respectively. Will, on the other hand, is a popular columnist for The Washington Post who frequently writes about economic and social issues in relation to conservative politics.

    The commencement events will be held at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on December 12 and 13. The entire ceremony can be monitored on Twitter through the hashtag #MSUgrad14.

    The list of those awarded with honorary degrees from the MSU includes civil rights advocate, Robert Clark Jr.; President Barack Obama’s spiritual adviser, Rev. James Wallis; Kristin Clark Taylor, the White House director of media relations during President Bush’s term; and Teresa Sullivan, the president of the University of Virginia.

    Sullivan was recently known for canceling fraternity and sorority activities until next semester after the Rolling Stone reported about a shocking gang rape that occurred at one of the Virginia campus’ fraternity houses.

  • Lacey Holsworth, Friend of MSU’s Payne, Has Died

    When Michigan State won the Big Ten Championship this year in Indianapolis, center Adriean Payne took a special guest up the ladder with him to cut down the nets – 8-year-old Lacey Holsworth. While that 10-foot trip up the ladder allowed Lacey the opportunity to look down upon the world from new-found heights, she now stands watch over the entire world after her family reported her death from cancer Wednesday morning.

    Lacey first met Payne two years ago from her hospital bed in Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital during a Michigan State team visit. It was at that time that Payne learned Lacey suffered from neuroblastoma, a type of cancer in which immature neuroblast cells, near the spine, develop into cancer cells instead of mature, adult cells.

    Lacey did not let her battle with cancer put a damper upon her Michigan State basketball fandom, however, befriending Adriean Payne almost immediately. ”She loved unconditionally and without hesitation, spreading her smile and love throughout the world,” stated Lacey’s father.

    Last spring, Dick Vitale invited both Lacey and Payne to his annual Dick Vitale Gala to fight cancer in Sarasota, Florida. From there, Lacey’s last year on earth was quite a whirlwind, being featured on such shows as “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America.” Lacey also served as Payne’s escort on his Senior Night (even though Payne had to carry Lacey to the floor due to the pain she was suffering from) and was with the MSU center during the college slam-dunk contest preceding the 2014 National Championship game.

    “They communicate and hang out like a brother and sister. It’s a unique and special bond,” Matt Holsworth commented.

    While all of Payne’s actions during his senior year at Michigan State display the intense bond he held with Lacey, perhaps nothing speaks bigger about their relationship than the exchange the two had the day of Lacey’s first treatment following news her cancer had returned:

    “Laaaccceeey,” [Lacey’s mother] Heather whispered. “Adreian is here to see you. Laaaccceey, Adreian’s here.”

    After a few moments, Lacey rolled onto her back and opened her eyes. Sure enough, standing next to her bed was Payne, his 6’10” frame nearly stretching to the ceiling as he clutched the stuffed zebra he’d brought as a gift.

    Grinning, Lacey extended her arms as Payne bent down to embrace the girl he calls his “little sis.”

    “Superman!” she said. “You’re here.”

    Unfortunately for Lacey, even Superman had his limitations. However, there is still one way in which Payne feels that he can still keep fighting for Lacey – through basketball: ”The only thing you can do is play basketball. You can’t be there with them. Just knowing that when I play well, it makes her happy. It feels like I’m doing something, in a way, to make her feel better.”

    Image via Instagram