EAST LANSING — Posters and signs popped up around campus Monday morning in support of Michigan State University’s outgoing president, Kevin Guskiewicz.
Clemson University announced on Wednesday, May 27 that Guskiewicz was selected as the school’s 16th president .
The Izzo Legacy, Lupe Izzo’s foundation intended to support the MSU community even after Tom Izzo stops coaching at the school, started the campaign, placing signs throughout campus and calling for people to share their support via social media as well.
“Since becoming President of Michigan State University, Kevin Guskiewicz has brought a collaborative spirit, bold vision, and unwavering commitment to the Spartan community. His leadership has made a meaningful impact across campus and throughout Greater Lansing,” The Izzo Legacy wrote on Instagram. “Now, Spartan Nation has one mission to make sure President Guskiewicz and his family feel our gratitude! Students, alumni, faculty, staff, families, and friends please join us in the #WeHeartKevinG campaign and help us share one message! Thank You, Kevin G!”
Signs that say “We (heart) Kevin G.” popped up around campus, from around the Sparty Statue’s neck to the sidewalks leading up to Cowles House. The signs feature the hashtag “#weheartkevin” written on them.
Signs supporting Guskiewicz’s wife, Amy, popped up near Cowles House as well.
A website where people can share their gratitude to Guskiewicz popped up on Monday as well, weheartkevin.com.
The website says he will always be a Spartan, and people can write comments directly onto the board.
“While we’re sad to see him go, we’re grateful for everything he has done to strengthen Michigan State University and support the people who make this community so special,” the website says.
Trustee Brianna Scott, D-Muskegon, told the State Journal on Monday that the board would be meeting Wednesday and Thursday, June 10-11, to discuss the plans for Guskiewicz’s last day and a plan for an interim president.
In a letter sent to the MSU community on Tuesday, June 2, the MSU Board of Trustees wrote that executive search firms are under consideration to find an interim president and permanent president to lead the university.
“We appreciate (Guskiewicz’s) willingness to remain in his role as we start a leadership transition and work with him on an exact end date,” the letter said. “We are grateful for his commitment to Michigan State University and wish him, Amy and their family continued success and happiness. The university’s academic mission, strategic priorities, athletics innovation and ongoing initiatives will continue uninterrupted during this upcoming transition.”
Clemson’s Associate Vice President of Communications Joe Galbraith confirmed to the State Journal on June 4 that Guskiewicz has not yet signed a contract with the university and that Guskiewicz “likely will not have a signed contract for a while.” Galbraith said there is a signed terms sheet and that a first day has not been announced yet.
News of Guskiewicz’s departure from the university came just 10 days after the MSU Board of Trustees held a meeting on the evening of Sunday, May 17, where it approved raising Guskiewicz’s base salary by nearly $1 million to $2 million, among the highest in the Big Ten, and controversial updates to the board’s code of ethics and conduct.
Different state lawmakers have pushed back against the code, which stresses loyalty to MSU and limits communication and the ability for trustees to publicly comment on policies they disagree with. Two trustees, Plymouth Republican Mike Balow and Detroit Democrat Rema Vassar, refused to sign.
Since Guskiewicz announced his plans to leave, lawmakers have made a stronger push to change how members are seated on the state’s three largest university boards. If the proposal passed with the support of two-thirds of both the House and Senate, the change would be placed on the ballot for residents to vote on, potentially leading to a change in the state constitution.
Guskiewicz said tension on the Board of Trustees was leading to an “unsustainable situation” and he said some trustees were spending “too much energy” on “revisiting past conflicts and internal disagreements rather than focusing collectively on the opportunities and aspirations ahead of us.”
Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Signs support outgoing MSU President Guskiewicz appear on campus
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal | USA TODAY Network
