Resources available to MSU students following release of Lyoya footage

President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. sent an email to the MSU community linking support resources following the release of video footage of Patrick Lyoya’s death.

Lyoya was a young Black man shot by a Grand Rapids police officer last week.

Stanley also said the College of Human Medicine, headquartered in Grand Rapids, has kept in constant communication with its faculty, staff and students.

Deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen encourages the MSU community to support each other after hearing this news. He said because people process trauma differently, MSU wanted to remind the community of the resources available to them.

Stanley linked resources for students and employees, including: Thriving Campus, Counseling and Psychiatric Services, or CAPS, The Steve Fund, and Employee Assistance Program

CAPS will be working with campus partners to create “gathering spaces” with continued support. Olsen said there will be a CAPS Connect virtual session at the Multicultural Unity Center on April 19.

WNBA star, MSU alum Aerial Powers embraces gaming

WNBA star and Michigan State women’s basketball alumna Aerial Powers made a return to campus to share her love of gaming by playing Call of Duty: Warzone with participating students.

The event was sponsored by Coinbase and Team Liquid and took place in the Communication Arts and Sciences building, where she once attended classes as a student.

Upon leaving Michigan State, Powers became the highest draft pick in MSU women’s basketball history, being selected fifth overall in the 2016 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings.

After becoming a WNBA champion with the Washington Mystics in 2019, she’s taken her career to new heights by entering the world of video game streaming.

In early 2021, she made some big career moves by signing with the Minnesota Lynx and becoming a streamer and diversity ambassador with Team Liquid.

MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant made sure Powers met with her team while in East Lansing and said she has always been a supporter of Powers and the opportunities that come her way.

MSU gymnastics freshman Skyla Schulte looks to enjoy her time competing at the NCAA Nationals

Although MSU Gymnastics wrapped up their season in the NCAA Regionals on March 31 In Seattle, Washington, freshman Skyla Schulte has advanced to Nationals where she will represent MSU for an individual beam title.

I am very excited,” Schulte said. “It was one of my goals more as a team to make it, but I think that this is taking us in the right direction for next year.”

This is the first time since 2016 that MSU has sent someone to the national championship and the 12th time in program history.

“I absolutely (expected her to qualify), especially given the year that she has had. We knew even before Skyla came to Michigan State that when we were recruiting her she was a game changer, and would be a program changer,” Associate Head Coach Nicole Curler Jones said. “She has come and checked every box that we knew she was going to.

Based on original reporting by Morgan Womack, Jenna Malinowski and Melanie Soverinsky. Script by Shakyra Mabone.