EAST LANSING —It’s the middle of summer and with weeks left before the next school year begins, families might be running short of things to do that don’t involve a TV or tablet.
Michigan State University might have what you’re looking for.
MSU and its East Lansing campus are home to numerous free oraffordable activities allsummer: Cold sweet treats on hot days, perusing a huge collection of comic books, meeting unique and exotic insects from around the world …Michigan State has something to keep almost everyone entertained.
More than just books at MSU Library
While it’s heavily used for studying and research during the academic year, visitors can go on adventures and follow their favorite superheroes featured in hundreds of thousands of comic books any time of year.
The MSU Library is home to the world’s largest comic book collection. With more than 300,000 items, comic book enthusiasts or anyone looking for an entertaining read can get lost among the pages of thousands of American comic books or the more than 1,000 books of newspaper comic strips.
The collection also includes more than 50,000 international comic books fromEurope, Latin America and Asia. It contains some comics that were published as early as the 1840s.
The comics can be read in the special collections reading room.
If comics aren’t your thing, the MSU Libraryincludes a literature collection for children and adults that amounts to more than 2,800 books. Aspiring chefs can thumb through cookbooks from around the world in the cookery collection.
Visitors can also listen to more than 40,000 hours of spoken word recordings dating back to 1888 in the Vincent Voice Library, according to Holly Flynn, coordinator of outreach and engagement for the MSU Libraries. A highlight is spoken word visitors can listen to from every president from Benjamin Harrison to Joe Biden.
And there are gaming labs on the fourth floor with thousands of video games.
“We do have a lot of fun, unexpected things to do in the MSU Libraries,” she said.
Anyone with an MSU library card can borrow books, music, movies or other items. Michigan residents who are 18 or older are eligible for an MSU library card.
The flavors of summer
One of the most popular ways to enjoy a hot summer day at MSU iswith a sweet, cold treat at the MSU Dairy Store.
The MSU Dairy Store specializes in delectable frozen treats, including a dozen different flavors of hand-scooped ice cream and rotating varieties of "extreme" sundaes and milkshakes.
This month’s specialty is a collaboration with the MSU Admissions Department called the Admissions Sweet Decision Cotton Candy Sundae, said Spartan Dairy Store Manager Aaron Weiner. It features two scoops of pink, cotton candy ice cream served in a waffle cone bowl with Pop Rocks lining the rim and it's topped with a cupcake from the MSU Bakery, a piece of real cotton candy and cotton candy crunch.
The most popular hand-scooped flavor is Spartan Swirl, formerly known as Sesquicentennial Swirl. It’s a cake batter ice cream with a green frosting swirl and cake pieces mixed in.
The store isbusy during the summer, going through about 200 3-gallon tubs of ice cream each week.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, be sure to check out the MSU Dairy Store’s shake trailer parked outside of Anthony Hall which offers a menu of extreme shakes, as well as regular shakes and scoops. Weiner compared extreme shakes to bloody marys, but instead ofbeing loaded with olives and celery, the shakes have sweet garnishes, like brownies and strawberries.
Tom Mayor and his family visitedEast Lansing from Dayton, Ohio, Friday for a college trip and stopped atthe MSU Dairy Store for the first time. He quickly generated a strong opinion on the store’s ice cream after sampling a scoop of a chocolateand another of Tucker’s Scoop and Score, a vanilla ice cream with a praline caramel swirl and praline pecans.
“The ice cream is fantastic. Some of the best quality I’ve had since I was a kid,” he said. “Remember Baskin-Robbins? Better than that.”
The MSU Dairy Store is open from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sundayat Anthony Hall, 474 S. Shaw Lane.
A stroll through the gardens
When you’ve licked up the last bits of your ice cream, you can walk it off on a stroll through 14 acres of lush, diverse gardens.
Visitors can spend a day strollingto see hundreds of new annuals, perennial gardens, a landscape arboretum and the 4-H Children’s Garden.
Professor William James Beal established the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden in 1873. It has become the oldest continuously operated university botanical garden in the U.S. and features more than 5,000 different types of plants. Descriptive labels identify each plant and share some of the plants’ characteristics. The plants are displayed in four collections.
In the Judith Delapa Perennial Garden, visitors will find a splash of different colors with flowering and non-flowering plants and ornamental grasses. It spans 10 island beds and 6,500 square feet.
A family favorite is the 4-H Children’s Garden. It features a pizza garden, maze and picnic spots. In the garden, children can learn about horticulture among dozens of themed areas.
Those and the other MSU Gardens can be visited free and located off of Bogue Street.
Learn about bugs
Visitors can see pollinators and other insects in the MSU Gardens. But they can meet them up close and personal at the MSU Bug House.
The MSU Bug House hosts a free open house on the second Monday of every month. Visitors will find displays crawling with bugs, insects and arachnids from around the world and have the opportunity to interact with some of their live specimens.
The MSU Bug House is located in Room 147 of the MSU Natural Science Building at 288 Farm Lane.
Open houses are scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Mondayand Aug.8. The open housesrequire advance registration. Learn more at www.canr.msu.edu/bughouse.
Visit MSU’s museums
MSU is also home to several museums that are waiting to be explored.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at MSU feature exhibits that rotate in and out through the year, including several summer exhibits, including the “Eli and Edythe Broad: An Enduring Legacy” show, which pays homage to the founders of the museum with displays of the works theydonated to the museum in 2013, shortly after the museum first opened.
“Kahlo Without Borders” is another exhibit that will be open through Aug.7. It features photographs of legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her family, medical documentation from her stay in a Mexico City hospital, among several more features.
Large skeleton casts of dinosaurs are among the additional features visitors to the MSU Art Museum can find.
The MSU Museum’s Habitat Hall features life-size dioramas of major habitats found in North and Central America, including forests and grasslands. Each diorama includes hoofed animals depicting how they were able to adapt to the unique environments.
Standing next to the dioramas are a collection of skeleton casts tha an Allosaurus and Stegosaurus, as well as smaller displays offering more information on dinosaurs.
Both museums offer free admission, but registration is required in advance. Visit the Broad Art Museum and MSU Museum websites for registration details and information on upcoming events and programs.
Broad Art Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Visitors can check out the MSU Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
“We are excited to be holding a number of fun and educational events on campus this summer,” said Mark Bullion, media and public information communication manager for MSU University Communications. “These unique opportunities allow us to provide on-campus experiences for the whole Spartan community.”
Contact Mark Johnson at (517) 377-1026 ormajohnson2@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter at@ByMarkJohnson.
FAQs
What is the motto of Michigan State University? ›
Spartans Will. is the official tagline of MSU.
What is Michigan State University ranked in the world? ›Rankings. Michigan State University is ranked #116 in Best Global Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
Is MSU a good school? ›Michigan State University's ranking in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #77.
What is the main mission vision goals of MSU? ›MSU aspires to be a leading transformative global university, engaging the society through entrepreneurship, research, innovation, industry embedment, and holistic education for a better future. socio-economic transformations through innovative deliveries and with ethical values.
What is University of Michigan known as? ›The University of Michigan (U-M, UMich, or Michigan) is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1817 as the Catholepistemiad, or the "School of Universal Knowledge," the university is the oldest in Michigan; it was established 20 years before the territory became a state.
Which school is bigger Michigan or Michigan State? ›Size. The University of Michigan is home to 29,851 undergraduates and 14,733 graduate students. Michigan State has 38,491 undergraduates and 11,204 graduate students on its campus.
Is MSU a prestigious university? ›Michigan State University is ranked #77 out of 443 National Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
Why is University of Michigan so highly ranked? ›The institution is known for its innovative research, diversity, hospitals, and athletic program. So where is the University of Michigan located?
What GPA gets you into MSU? ›Average GPA: 3.75
(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 3.75, Michigan State requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's.
Michigan State University admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 83%. Half the applicants admitted to Michigan State have an SAT score between 1100 and 1320 or an ACT score of 23 and 29.
What GPA do you need to get into Michigan State University? ›
A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher with strong grade performance. 24 or more credits deemed transferable to MSU, earned after high school graduation. Applicants with less than 24 transferable credits are required to provide final high school transcripts.
What are the top 3 majors at Michigan State University? ›The most popular majors at Michigan State University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Engineering; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology; Psychology; Health ...
Who is the biggest University in world? ›It was founded with the idea to make higher education available in every part of India. Therefore it offers 226 study subjects across 21 faculties. With several institutions and 15 field offices in different countries, Indira Gandhi National Open University guarantees itself an international place.
Is University of Michigan like an Ivy League? ›Several large public universities, such as University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, and University of Virginia are considered “public ivies.” Competition for admission to Ivy League schools and other highly selective schools has always been fierce but in the past few years the competition has become even more intense.
How diverse is Michigan State University? ›| Faculty Race/Ethnicity | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 33,051 | 66.51% |
| International | 4,540 | 9.14% |
| Black or African American | 3,572 | 7.19% |
| Asian | 3,244 | 6.53% |
Our mission to serve the people of Michigan and the world is deeply rooted in our ethos and identity as a public institution.
What are the three components of the MSU Public Affairs mission? ›The public affairs mission has three pillars: ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.
What is the 1 college in Michigan? ›University of Michigan--Ann Arbor.
What is the easiest school to get into at University of Michigan? ›UMich Strategy:
Students often consider the School of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) as easier to get into than the engineering program.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
#1 Best Colleges in Michigan.
Is Michigan or Ohio State better academically? ›
Michigan ranks higher than Ohio State in national rankings as well. But neither is a slouch. In the U.S. News and World Report ranking of 268 public and private four-year colleges Michigan ranks 29th compared to 54th for Ohio State.
What is the best school in the state of Michigan? ›| Michigan Rank (out of 660) | US rank (out of 17,843) | High School |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | City High Middle School |
| 2 | 21 | International Academy of Macomb |
| 3 | 52 | International Academy |
| 4 | 107 | Washtenaw International High School |
The Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry, referred to as The Game by some followers, is an American college football rivalry game that is played annually between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Is Michigan State a beautiful campus? ›Michigan State University reverberates with Spartan pride, and it's easy to understand why. The school maintains "a beautiful campus," has "an insane amount of resources," and provides exciting research opportunities for students. It also offers a "fantastic honors college" along with very strong "agricultural...
Is MSU or MU better? ›Is Michigan State University the same as University of Michigan? U of M generally receives higher rankings, it also has a much lower acceptance rate. With its higher acceptance rate, MSU may be a better choice for those who want to study at a tier-one school but do not have the grades to enter an exclusive institution.
Is MSU an elite University? ›As reported in September 2021, MSU ranks in the top 6% of universities in the world. And, Times Higher Education recently released its Reputation Ranking, a metric that comprises 33% of the global ranking's methodology.
Why is University of Michigan so popular? ›What Makes the University of Michigan Stand out? The University of Michigan is known for its excellence in academics, research, and athletics. It is one of the top public universities in the United States and has consistently ranked among the best universities in the world.
Why is the University of Michigan so famous? ›For the layperson, the University of Michigan is synonymous with its world-famous athletic program. But the school boasts a commitment to learning rarely found outside of elite private schools. It should come as no surprise that one of U of M's best academic majors is related to its sports programs.
How hard is University of Michigan? ›The University of Michigan has a 20% acceptance rate. On average, successful applicants score between 1350 and 1530 on the SATs, or between 31 and 34 on the ACTs. The average GPA is around 3.9. However, grades and test scores are not the only factors that the school considers.
What is the lowest GPA Michigan State will accept? ›Average GPA: 3.75
(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 3.75, Michigan State requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, with a leaning toward A's.
What GPA is dean's list MSU? ›
Dean's List. The Dean's List honors all undergraduates in the university who earn a 3.50 or better grade–point average (GPA) for the courses in their undergraduate program totaling 12 or more credits for a given semester.
What GPA do you need for Harvard? ›The average high school GPA of admitted students at Harvard is around 4.2. 73% of students had a GPA of at least 4.0, indicating that admitted students typically mostly earned A grades in high school. If you're studying the IB, this translates to scoring mostly 7s and achieving a minimum score of at least 42.
What is the hardest class in MSU? ›- CEM 141 - General Chemistry. ...
- MTH 441 - Ordinary Differential Equations II. ...
- MTH 132 - Calculus I. ...
- ACC 201 - Principles of Financial Accounting. ...
- EC 201 - Introduction to Microeconomics. ...
- MTH 133 - Calculus II. ...
- ISS 215 - Social Differentiation and Inequality. ...
- GEO 204 - World Regional Geography.
2.12 No student shall manufacture, produce, sell, exchange, or otherwise distribute any drug prohibited by federal or state laws. 2.13 No student shall possess or use any alcoholic beverages, except as permitted by state law, University policy, and University ordinance.
What college has the lowest acceptance rate? ›Among the institutions with the lowest acceptance rate, colleges included, UCLA is the only public university with the lowest acceptance rate while the college with the lowest acceptance rate is Dartmouth College. The rest of the U.S. higher educational institutions with low acceptance rates are privately-owned.
Is a 1.0 passing at MSU? ›Credit is awarded at the following minimum levels: 1.0 for undergraduate students. 2.0 for graduate students. However, all grades are counted in the calculation of the grade-point average (GPA).
Is a 3.7 GPA good for MSU? ›Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
The school ranks #7 in Michigan for highest average GPA. If your high school grades are above the average 3.72 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Michigan State accepts 83% of all applicants.
Academic Factors
Generally, applicants should aim for a 3.5 GPA—in particular, a 3.5 cumulative GPA in the sciences shows well. Additionally, applicants should aim for an MCAT score in the 500 range or above.
The most popular college majors in the United States are business, health, and social sciences, according to data from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES). Of the 2 million bachelor's degrees conferred in the US during the 2019-2020 school year, these three majors made up almost 40 percent.
What are the University of Michigan top five most popular bachelor's degree majors? ›- Information Science. 1,086 Graduates.
- Business. 596 Graduates.
- 586 Graduates.
- Research and Experimental Psychology. 399 Graduates.
- Physiological Psychology. 328 Graduates.
- Political Science and Government. 320 Graduates.
- Mechanical Engineering. 289 Graduates.
- 242 Graduates.
Is Michigan State a competitive school? ›
Admission to Michigan State University is competitive, but there are no minimum requirements. MSU strongly encourages a college preparatory curriculum in high school.
What is the richest university in the world? ›Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is one of the richest universities according to endowment ranking, which has 40.9 billion USD.
What is the most powerful university? ›...
World University Rankings 2023.
| Rank | Name Country/Region |
|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oxford United Kingdom |
| 2 | Harvard University United States |
| =3 | University of Cambridge United Kingdom |
| =3 | Stanford University United States |
The Hidden Ivies are colleges and universities considered to rival the eight Ivy League schools without being part of that prestigious group. These schools offer similar academic opportunities to students but might get overlooked because of their lack of popularity when compared to the famous Ivies.
What is the prettiest Ivy League college campus? ›The Ivy League with the best campus is Princeton. It's reputed as having the prettiest campus. But beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
What is Michigan known for academically? ›Michigan also offers highly ranked graduate programs, including the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, College of Engineering, Law School and Medical School, in addition to the well-regarded School of Dentistry and Taubman College for Architecture and Urban Planning.
What is Michigan's motto and nickname? ›State motto: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you). Popular name: The Wolverine State. State song (unofficial): "Michigan, My Michigan." Words by Douglas M.
What is MSU nickname? ›In 1926, Michigan State's first southern baseball training tour provided the setting for the birth of the "Spartans" nickname. It all came about when a Lansing sportswriter imposed the silent treatment on a contest-winning nickname and substituted his own choice, the name that has lasted through the years.
What is the University of Michigan mission? ›Mission: Advance and celebrate academic excellence, integrity, interdisciplinarity, and diversity through alignment of partnerships, policies and resources. Vision: To be the epicenter of support for our academic enterprise and an equitable, inclusive culture at the University of Michigan.
What do Michigan fans call themselves? ›Since the earliest days of recorded University of Michigan history (as early as 1861), the students and alumni have been referring to themselves as "Wolverines".
What does Tuebor mean Michigan? ›
"Tuebor," meaning, "I will defend," refers to Michigan's frontier position. The shield is held by two animals representing Michigan, the elk on the left and the moose on the right.
What are Michigan's two nicknames? ›Although Michigan is often called the “Wolverine State,” its more common nickname is the “Great Lakes State.” This name comes from the fact that Michigan is the only state in the United States that borders four of the five Great Lakes.
Is there a girl on the Michigan State football team? ›Couch: Meet the woman who's fueled Michigan State's football team to a 3-0 start, Amber Rinestine. EAST LANSING – For weeks, one name kept popping up, unprompted, in interviews with Michigan State's football players: Amber Rinestine. And that was before the Miami game last Saturday.
What are 5 interesting facts about Michigan? ›- Michigan was the 26th state. ...
- Brook Trout is the state fish. ...
- You can find moose in Isle Royale National Park. ...
- The Michigan State Capitol has unique architecture. ...
- It's called the "Mitten State" ...
- It has the longest freshwater coastline. ...
- It's also called the "Wolverine State"
State Game Mammal
Found in every Michigan county, the white-tailed deer is an important natural and economic resource.
An elite public institution, U of M is fairly tough to get into: the current University of Michigan acceptance rate is just 23%, indicating that only about one in five applicants gets admitted. Due to its prestige, the University of Michigan ranking is usually in the top 25 on most national college ranking lists.
Why is the University of Michigan so prestigious? ›The University of Michigan is known for its massive campus size and diverse student body. Due to its top academics, it's one of the many schools dubbed as Public Ivies. Newsweek considers it a Hidden Ivy, too. UMich is also known for being an institution with great value, Greek life and athletics.