Ribbon Cutting
After decades of student advocacy, Michigan State University celebrated a historic ribbon cutting ceremony for the university's first free-standing Multicultural Center. Managed by the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy (OMEA), the new center provides an array of resources in support of the student journey at MSU. It is a welcoming environment that fosters community and connection among students and the entire MSU community.
Multicultural Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Friday, February 7, 2025
Host Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
Samuel Saldivar, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy; Multicultural Center
Ceremonial Blessing
Ariel Clark, Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center
Administrative Remarks
Kelly Tebay, Chair, Board of Trustees
Kevin Guskiewicz, Ph.D., President
Thomas D. Jeitschko, Ph.D., Interim Provost
Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
Community Reflections
Connor Le, President, Associated Students of Michigan State University
Francisco Velazquez, Representative, Coalition of Racial and Ethnic Minorities (Faculty/Staff/Administrators)
Alumni Reflections
LaVerne Wilson, President, MSU Black Alumni Inc.
Brady Velazquez, Founder and Chair, APIDA Spartans
Maria Serrato, President, Latino Spartans
Eva Menefee, Representative for Native/Indigenous Alumni
Student Remarks
Michael Oriyavong, President, Asian Pacific American Student Organization
Briana Briggs, Co-Chair, Black Students' Alliance
Angel Noaks, Co-Chair, Black Students' Alliance
Neshelle Calderon, President, Culturas De Las Razas Unidas
Madison Kennedy-Kequom, Co-Chair, North American Indigenous Student Organization
Zadok Milner, Co-Chair, North American Indigenous Student Organization
Kaylin Butler, President, National Pan-Hellenic Council
Ishan Baweja, President, Multicultural Greek Council
Hanna Abd Fatah, President, Coalition for the Advocacy of Marginalized Students
Closing Remarks
Genyne L. Royal, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President of Student Life and Engagement for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and Assistant Dean for Student Success Initiatives