While practicing the vault in December 2010, Michigan State University senior gymnast Kathryn Mahoney was injured during her landing, breaking her C6 vertebrae. Kathryn has shown a true competitive spirit after enduring surgery, in-patient rehabilitation, a period of time at home with additional rehabilitation and now is back at MSU and working to complete her degree in chemical engineering while she continues her rehabilitation.

Kathryn joins her MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages in this conversation with MSU President Lou Anna Simon and Spartans Athletic Director Mark Hollis. Mahoney talks about her life back at MSU and the Spartan network around her providing her with support during her courageous journey.

Michigan State University alumnus Tim Staudt is the dean of sports broadcasters and journalists in mid-Michigan and is in his 42nd year covering sports. He talks with MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and Spartans Athletic Director Mark Hollis about the state of the broadcasting and journalism fields and about how social media have impacted the craft. Tim talks about what he sees as being good and bad about college athletics. And he reflects on how MSU has impacted his life and about growing up around legendary MSU President John Hannah.

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and Spartans Athletics Director Mark Hollis talk with Rick Cole and Derek Mehraban – the creators of Michigan State University’s New Media Driver’s License course and resource guide. And they talk about the state and future of social media and its growing impact on all our lives.

Hosted by Lou Anna K. Simon and Mark Hollis.

In this edition of MSU Today on News/Talk 760 WJR Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon and Spartans Athletic Director Mark Hollis talk with Don Heller, dean of MSU’s College of Education, and with Michael Rush, founding director of MSU’s Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum.

Donald Heller is the new dean of MSU’s renowned College of Education. He tells MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and Spartans Athletic Director Mark Hollis that he’s happy to be at MSU, not only because of the reputation of the College, but because of its people and their enthusiasm, talent, and sense of community.

Providing access and opportunity for more students to attend college is one of Heller’s particular areas of emphasis.

Some of Heller’s other goals for the college are to continue to prepare excellent teachers, education professionals, leaders and researchers – contribute to public debate about top issues in education – and focus the college’s efforts in the critical areas of urban education, globalization and improving mathematics and science.

Michael Rush is the founding director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University.

“A big part of what we’re doing is educating people about the breadth and depth of contemporary art,” says Rush. “Take the adventure with us; it will be worth it.

“The adventure is going to take place in a very exciting and dynamic building in a non-threatening and participatory atmosphere.”

Rush tells MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and Spartans Athletic Director Mark Hollis that he wants the Broad to be a “hub of cultural exploration” and says they plan “to shake up the town.”

Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon tells Spartans what they need to know about the state of the FRIB project in light of Energy Secretary Chu’s remarks last week at the Detroit Economic Club.

“What we have to do is perform very well in the review in April and we’re prepared to do that,” Simon says. “And we’ll continue to work the political process.”

President Simon and her colleagues were gathering at the NCAA meetings last week and she comments on the fact that college football’s movers and shakers are beginning to meet to at least talk about a college football playoff.

She describes MSU’s just-announced Energy Transition Plan, too, and assesses the state of Michigan State as 2012 dawns.

“Michigan State has come through a very difficult economic time with momentum,” Simon says. “We have much yet to do and there are always things we can do better.

“But we’re sustaining a momentum through probably the most difficult sustained financial time in our history. We’ve been able to attract and retain good people, so you have to feel good about where we are.”

Hosted by Russ White.