Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/author/oliviaschornak/)
Two-hundred seventy-eight Afghan refugees have arrived in Lansing since August 2021. St. Vincent Catholic Charities has received all of them.
Judi Harris, director of refugee services at St. Vincent Catholic Charities, said the organization sets up housing for refugees, provides job assistance, offers English classes and gets people signed up for benefits, such as Medicaid. She said that of the 278 Afghan refugees, many are young children.
Alternative rock band “Grouplove,” fronted by keyboardist Hannah Hooper (left) and guitarist Christian Zucconi
Chart-topping alternative rock band “Grouplove,” joined by local group “Pretoria,” performed a two-hour set for students and the public at Michigan State’s Breslin Center. Hosted by the University Activities Board, Associated Students of Michigan State University and the Residence Hall Association, the Breslin was packed with hundreds of attendees for this one-night-only event. Lilly Kowalczyk, 19, a sophomore at Michigan State University, heard about this concert just days prior, viewing a banner for the event on Instagram. Kowalczyk went with a close friend, 19-year-old Kayley Dinklemann to the event at the last minute. “Yeah we don’t really know any of Groulove’s songs, except for “Tongue Tied,” of course, because it’s so popular,” said Kowalczyk.
After nearly five months without meeting due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the East Lansing’s Human Rights Commission came together once again for a general meeting. The central topic was of the commission meeting: electing a new commission chair and vice-chair for the year of 2022. Beginning with the election of vice-chair, previous vice-chair, Liz Miller, nominated Katherine Rifiotis Slivensky. Slivensky, the youngest member of the Human Rights Commission, was hesitant to accept the nomination, but after support from her colleagues, was voted into the position. “I suppose I look forward to spreading awareness of the commission to a wider audience, especially when a greater number of students are returning to Michigan State,” said Silvensky.
Olivia SchornakMichigan State’s student government ends the event with a group photo (left to right; Quintin Bell, Caitlin Finerty, Carl Austin Miller Grondin, Jordan Kovach, Georgia Frost, and Kyle Biel.)
Michigan State University’s student government braved the 25-degree weather on St. Valentine’s Day to offer the university’s students passing by some pink-themed gifts. With positive music blaring from their speaker and smiles adorning their faces, several of MSU’s government members stood by the infamous rock, ready to connect with as many faces as possible from 1 – 3 p.m.
Students encountered a surprise at Michigan State University’s Rock on Valentine’s Day. Caitlin Finerty, public relations manager and media coordinator to ASMSU, orchestrated the event. Passing out free Valentine’s-themed shirts, candy, and other little prizes with no competition-winning whatsoever.
Shutters are tightened, extra blankets are taken out of the linen closet and heating units are cranked up as the Midwest and southeast Michigan prepare for one of its heaviest snowstorms since 2015. Expecting 9–12 inches of snow over the course of 24 hours, cities such as East Lansing are declaring a “state of emergency.”
Olivia SchornakFollow this link to get to a photo package: http://snowstormstory2022.com/
With most of East Lansing bunkered down in their beds, individuals such as CATA bus driver Gene have duties to attend to. Having driven Bus #621 for 17 years for Michigan State University, with delivery truck driving experience before that, there’s no question the 58-year-old is comfortable on his route. Regardless of CATA’s shortage of bus drivers on campus, the 7-inch accumulation by 11 a.m., to Gene, was like “Sunday School.”
“Hearing about it on the news last night with my wife, I was flabbergasted for sure, but I knew tomorrow wouldn’t be any different,” said Gene. “We’ve got more folks on the job today anyhow, and I think it’s worth it gettin’ the kids to their classes.”
Important links in the supply chain
While Michigan State’s bus drivers assist students on their treks to various courses, delivery trucks make their way to dormitory dining halls for the daily unload.