International Studies & Programs

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Global Spartans Virtual Reunion: Reigniting creativity caps a year of virtual innovation and celebrations

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Published: Friday, 06 Aug 2021 Author: Veronica Gracia-Wing

In February 2020, with the coronavirus starting to spread throughout Asia, the international advancement team at MSU made the difficult decision to cancel Global MSU, the in-person multi-country alumni reunion planned in Seoul for May 2020. 

Korea is home to a vibrant community of more than 2,000 MSU alumni. Among many other activities, the reunion was set to feature a full scale alumni music concert in one of the best venues in Seoul, School of Packaging alumni conference, and highlight ComArtSci graduates and faculty as speakers. While it was unfortunate not to host these events in person, MSU and alumni from around the world forged ahead to host virtual engagement opportunities to bring alumni together. 

The College of Music alumni in Korea led an effort to host Global Spartans in Music, a celebration of MSU’s College of Music from an international perspective. The virtual concert featured performances from Spartans in Seoul, Taipei and Shanghai. The School of Packaging international alumni hosted their first global event via Zoom and heard from Matt Daum, Ph.D.—the new School of Packaging director—about the school’s priorities. 

“We hope to provide an inside look from MSU faculty, students and alumni about their creative process and Spartans' shared commitment to lead and connect the world through authentic leadership, creative thinking and a global mindset.” —Skyin Yin, associate director of International Advancement
Bringing it all together

In May—capping a year of innovation in virtual events—International Studies and Programs and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences partnered to host the Global Spartans Virtual Reunion, a unique two-part virtual experience around the theme of reigniting Spartan creative thinking. 

“We hope to provide an inside look from MSU faculty, students and alumni about their creative process and Spartans' shared commitment to lead and connect the world through authentic leadership, creative thinking and a global mindset,” said Skyin Yin, associate director of International Advancement. “We are also taking this opportunity to raise support for the ComArtSci Education Abroad Scholarship, which is committed to global learning through education abroad where students can travel the world, gain new experiences and learn more about their chosen field.”

Day one recap: Trust, new habits and comfort zones

Day one opened with Prabu David, College of Communication Arts and Sciences dean discussing authentic leadership in a global crisis. 

Screen shot participants in day one of the Zoom Global Spartans Virtual Reunion
Day one of the Global Spartans Virtual Reunion

David explained that when people ask about transparency, it’s not information they’re after. What they truly care about is whether a leader can be trusted to make good decisions that benefit the common good. 

“Authentic leadership means earning trust,” said David. “Leadership in a global crisis is to think of ourselves as creative, social architects creating the right environment for people to do their very best and to thrive even under adverse circumstances.“

After Prabu David’s powerful call to action, Ross Chowles, a professor of practice in CommArtSci’s Department of Advertising + Public Relations led a talk on how to unlock your creative energy and feel alive again, challenging Global Spartans to reignite their creative thinking in a series of new habits.

The first habit he said, is to learn to truly listen. Second is to learn how to step out of your comfort zone. Third, come up with ideas that might get you fired, going to the edge with exciting solutions. And finally, he suggested that innovators embrace and create obstacles.   

Next, Amol Pavangadkar, a professor of practice in CommArtSci’s School of Journalism shared how he was expanding global horizons through a film production education abroad program in India, bridging culture through media. 

“Mundane settings and predictable routine can hinder the creative process,” said Pavangadkar. “I started this study abroad program to offer students an opportunity to learn in a completely foreign environment, which took them out of their comfort zone.” 

At the end of day one, Global Spartans talked about their experiences and thoughts in breakout rooms on Kudoboards, a place to collectively share resources and key takeaways from the discussions. For inspiration or to add to a board after watching the reunion, visit these individual links: Team Amol, Team Prabu and Team Ross

Day two recap: Global connectivity and presidential experiences

On day two, Xinyu Wu, director of the Visiting International Professional Program and co-director of the Office of China Programs kicked things off as host, acknowledging the nearly 190 combined virtual reunion attendees over the course of the two-day event.  

Screen shot of day two of participants in the Zoom Global Spartans Virtual Reunion
Day two of the Global Spartans Virtual Reunionon

Wu introduced Steve Hanson, associate provost and dean for International Studies and Programs, who welcomed Global Spartans representing 45 locations around the world. 

“Virtual gatherings, like these, are drawing participation from locations that would otherwise not be represented in in-person events,” said Hanson. “As we look to the future, I think our COVID leap—the innovations facilitated by the creativity of Spartans—will sustain a new approach to our international alumni engagement and emphasize our global connectivity.”

Hanson had the honor of introducing MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., whose keynote presentation “Creatively Adapting and Advancing Common Good with Uncommon Will,” inspired an enthusiastic group of Global Spartans. 

Stanley spoke proudly of our international students and alumni community and passionately about joining MSU and the university’s vaccination efforts. 

“It’s a great pleasure to meet the Global Spartan family,” said Stanley. “One of the things I was always excited about was MSU’s remarkable global presence. I’ve had a chance to be international from a very young age. When I was four years old, my family moved to Indonesia and we spent two years there. I had a chance to experience a different culture firsthand and to learn a different language. The chance to learn about another culture left an indelible impression on me and helped me realize that the world extended far beyond the boundaries of the United States.”  

"The chance to learn about another culture left an indelible impression on me and helped me realize that the world extended far beyond the boundaries of the United States."   —President Samuel L. Stanley, Jr., M.D. 

Alumni were impressed by Stanley’s rich international experience (especially his Indonesian hello!) and his expertise in infectious diseases, asking thoughtful questions about both. Stanley was appreciative of the good ideas shared by Global Spartans, suggesting he’d like to share the diversity of comments with MSU Provost Teresa K. Woodruff.

During the virtual meet and greet, attendees wrapped up the reunion by participating in a discussion about what it means to be a Global Spartan, sharing their thoughts on a Kudoboard, Global Spartans Through the Years.

Economics alumnus and President of the MSU Indonesia Alumni Association, Satya Hangga Yudha Widya Putra, shared his experience attending the event: 

“I was excited about the opportunity to speak and ask questions directly to President Stanley. Thank you to the MSU team for hosting this event. It was great to have been able to meet and reunite with Spartans from all over the world. Hoping that once this pandemic is over, we can meet in person again.”

With thanks

The ISP and ComArtSci teams wish to thank all the donors who supported the ComArtSci Education Abroad Scholarship. Your gifts will help ensure more MSU students can travel the world, gain new experiences, and learn more about their chosen field. To learn more, visit here

Learn more and watch the reunion at isp.msu.edu/alumni/reunion/