MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
OCTOBER 14, 2010
Spartans share their Sagas with the world
There are nearly half a million
Michigan State University Spartans at
This is the fourth column in a series in
work every day on every continent.
which Charles Salmon, the Ellis N.
Some are well known, while others are
Brandt Endowed Chair in Public
known only to family, friends,
Relations at MSU and former dean of
neighbors, and coworkers. But one
MSU's College of Communication Arts
thing is clear: they're making a
and Sciences, shares stories from Israel.
difference—in ways both big and
Clearing the air
small—to individuals, businesses, and
September 2010
communities around the world.
Asking for forgiveness clears the air in more ways
And they have some amazing stories.
than one.
That's why MSU has created Spartan
Yom Kippur is a day when religious Israelis fast, pray,
Sagas—an online storytelling project
of epic proportions.
"At MSU, we work hard every day to
MSU alumnus M. L. Elrick is a Pulitizer Prize—winning investigative reporter with the Detroit
Free Press and the subject of a professionally produced Spartan Saga.
solve some of the world's most difficult problems," says
The Spartan Sagas Web site includes Sagas produced
Heather Swain, interim vice president for university
by a professional photo–video team from MSU.
relations at MSU. "And when you consider there is a vast
Visitors to the site may complete an online form to
network of nearly 500,000 Spartans spanning the globe,
nominate candidates for the professionally produced
it's easy to see that the collective impact of the Spartans
Sagas. The site also features scores of Spartans who
have shared their own Sagas—how they're making a
difference through their jobs, volunteer work, families,
In July, MSU launched the Spartan Sagas Web site as an
and daily lives—by uploading videos, photos, and text
ever-growing collection of stories of Spartans—alumni,
to the site.
students, faculty, and staff—told in their own words.
"Spartans do a great job staying connected, but we're
an impact around the world, but they also help to tell
often too modest about our accomplishments," says
the story of MSU and the opportunities it provides.
Scott Westerman, executive director of the MSU
Alumni Association. "Showcasing our MSU family from
explore the Big Questions section, which examines
challenges facing the world and how MSU researchers
are addressing them.
"The Spartan Sagas project brings to light the stories of
the Spartans and their contributions," says Swain. "It
kindles pride in alumni, lets prospective students and
their parents see what opportunities await them at MSU,
and shows off the caliber of our students, faculty, and
refrains from driving a car, bus, or truck.
As the sun begins to set here in Tel Aviv, children of
all ages excitedly lace their inline skates and inflate
their bicycle tires. Traffic noise subsides, and traffic
jams dissolve. Squeals of glee soon arise from
thousands of people on wheels, zigzagging at will
and from every angle on deserted highways and
streets. Meanwhile, the nonexercisers join in
conversation in traffic lanes, rotaries, and
The Sagas not only showcase how Spartans are making
In addition, visitors to the site have an opportunity to
is also a day when virtually the entire Jewish
community in Israel—secular as well as religious—
advance the common good and to
is pretty amazing."
and seek forgiveness for their sins of the past year. It
all walks of life through Spartan Sagas is a terrific way
to enlighten and inspire."
Sagas are as varied as they are moving—from a 2010
intersections.
It is a megablock party made all the more incongru-
ous because Yom Kippur is the one holiday each
year that is not regarded as a "happy" holiday.
Nevertheless, it has become one of the most fun.
Bicycle sales and rentals reach their annual peak
graduate who is putting her passion and expertise in
this time of year. The benefits of social interaction
drama therapy to work with prison inmates to a
and exercise are obvious to everyone who
Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter whose stories
participates. But more significant, the level of
exposed corruption and laid the groundwork for
municipal air pollution drops noticeably during
change in Detroit.
the 24 hours that cars are at rest. In fact, the Israeli
alumni to everyone—from potential employers for our
One Saga features Gabrielle Kleber, a senior studying
graduates to foundations that support research and
chemical engineering and environmental studies,
outreach efforts."
Environmental Protection Ministry recently
reported that levels of some pollutants in the
Tel Aviv air declined by approximately 90 percent
during the holiday.
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