A look back at 2024

In reflecting on 2024, the Central Michigan Life editorial team took a look back at the top stories locally. Here is our pick for the 10 most critical stories of the past year. You can click at the links to read the full pieces. 

President Bob Davies announces resignation

This year started with Central Michigan University President Bob Davies’s announcement of resignation. In a press conference following the Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 6, Davies explained why he decided to leave.  

Davies resigned to spend more time with his family. For the remaining 11 months, he said his goal was to ensure the well-being of the university.  

“Even after nearly six years on this campus, I still marvel at the passion from our students, our staff, our faculty, our alumni and our many, many supporters,” Davies said. “That fired up energy, that drive, that passion and that dedication is what made this decision to step down as president at the end of this year so very, very difficult.” 

Davies advised the new president to “embrace the students,” and said that students always inspired him.  

“CMU students, they’re gritty, every day they work hard,” Davies said. “It’s amazing what they’re able to achieve, so I want the students to know I love ’em.” 

Wrestling coach Tom Borrelli caps legendary career

In March, then-Central Michigan wrestling head coach Tom Borrelli announced his retirement after 33 seasons with the Chippewas, leaving behind a legacy that would be cemented in CMU’s history. 

Borrelli secured 15 Mid-American Conference Championship titles, including one in his final season. He coached 45 All-Americans and 10 MAC Wrestlers of the Year. 

“You don’t remember the wins and losses that much,” Borrelli said. “You remember the bus rides, the funny things that happened (and) just the relationships.” 

His impact was seen through wrestlers like Alex Cramer and assistant coach Matt Stencel who said he taught them more than just how to be champions on the mat. 

“Wrestling is important to me, and we all have goals here, but he’s really reinforced the importance of other things outside of the mat as well,” Cramer said. “Such as family and the importance of the brotherhood on the team (and) taking care of one another.”

Borrelli said he wanted his legacy to be that he left the program in a better place, and then someone else can continue to move it in the right direction. 

The Chippewas are now led by Borrelli’s assistant coach, Ben Bennett.

LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches share stories of authenticity

April is pride month at Central Michigan University, but queer visibility can be celebrated all year round. LGBTQ+ representation in sports is important and can be highlighted in three women making their mark at CMU.  

“I can’t stress enough to just be unapologetically yourself, be your most authentic self all the time,” Central Michigan softball assistant coach Brittini Merchant said. “People will love you no matter what, and if they don’t then they don’t need to be a part of your life.”  

A part of the journey for the women was being comfortable with their identity.  

“I think every queer person, we have to come out to ourselves first and what that looks like and then everything else matters,” CMU women’s basketball assistant coach Toccara Ross said. “That’s the game we kind of play in our head, whether or not we’re comfortable with ourselves enough to share it with the world.”  

Coming out to fellow athletes and peers can be intimidating, but the three have found support through their athletic careers and journeys as people.  

“All of my teammates have been very accepting,” Central Michigan lacrosse player Alyssa Lowe said. “Sports is usually a heteronormative environment, but all my teammates are supportive and I haven’t been treated differently because of it.” 

Staff vacancies, funding hamper DEI efforts 

In May, Central Michigan University’s chapter of Society of Professional Journalists, Central Michigan Life and a journalism capstone class partnered to investigate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts on campus.

They found several staff vacancies in the Division of Student Affairs and offices that struggled with both physical and human capital.

The division had over 10 staff members leave in 2023. Among them were the director of LGBTQ+ Services, the director of the Office of Indigenous Affairs and the director of the Sexual Aggression Services.  

Some of those positions were vacant for over five months, and the former Vice President of the Division of Student Affairs demoted the LGBTQ+ director’s position to the assistant director role. Many faculty members wondered why. 

Shawna Patterson-Stephens, the vice president for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, said CMU was not alone.

“It’s a current point of conversation that is being had at the national level in thinking about how we are supporting the needs of Student Affairs staff post-COVID,” she said. “(Student Affairs) were worked in ways that really stretched people, stretched our understanding of what it means to provide holistic support when everyone is in crisis at the same time.” 

Aside from being understaffed, the division has been assigned to lead over 40% of the DEI Strategic Plan tasks.  

The former Vice President of the Division of Student Affairs left the university on April 8. 

Stan Shingles was appointed as the interim vice president of Student Affairs with a pledge to fill critical vacancies. Among the changes, he restored the director of LGBTQ+ services position and $20,000 of funding to the office. 

Netflix’s ‘Sign Stealer’ gives voice to Stalions investigation

It was a scandal that drew the attention of the sports world when Connor Stalions and the University of Michigan football were investigated for sign stealing. In an August documentary, the subject of that scandal spoke out.

Central Michigan was thrown into the scandal when a man who allegedly looked like Stalions was seen on the sidelines in the Chippewas’ 2023 season opener against Michigan State. At the time, head coach Jim McElwain said the team was completely unaware of how he got onto the sidelines. 

In Netflix’s “Untold: Sign Stealer” documentary, Stalions does not confirm nor deny if he was on the sidelines. 

In November, it was announced that McElwain was being investigated by the NCAA for the situation. 

Senior running backs Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey dish life lessons from the gridiron

In their final year as Chippewas, running back duo Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey  took different roads to Central Michigan University, but followed a similar map to success once they arrived. 

As well as a tasty tradition. 

In a special celebration that comes from the initials of their names, both have celebrated touchdowns for the past four years by throwing M&Ms in the end zone.

In September, to kick off their final season, the pair dished out some life lessons that were sweet as candy. 

Their shared interest for football forged a bond rooted in competition, shared experiences and a pursuit of greatness. Despite coming from different paths, the two found common ground as they grew from freshmen to senior leaders on the Chippewas’ roster.

This story of friendship, hard work and dedication inspires others to pursue their dreams. 

“Focus on doing what’s right,” Bailey said. “You’re in a small environment, and if you’re looking for trouble, you’ll find it. But if you focus on your goals, you can accomplish anything.”

Lukes said to take things day-by-day. 

“It feels like just yesterday we were freshmen,” Lukes said. “Enjoy the moment because it doesn’t last forever.”

Neil MacKinnon named Central Michigan University’s 16th president

This year also marks the beginning of the new Central Michigan University president. 

Neil MacKinnon was voted to become the 16th president of CMU on Sept. 26. He began his five-year contract on Nov. 1.  

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously with no discussion to approve his hiring. Former President Bob Davies assisted with the transition until the end of fall 2024 semester, and he will stay on as a master's-level professor.

"Congratulations President MacKinnon, you are joining a... university that cares about its students," Davies said at the Board meeting. "I'm looking forward to being your favorite faculty member, and with your support, Chairman (Todd) Regis, we'll make this a smooth transition." 

MacKinnon comes with experience in teaching various medicine-related topics and working as a provost at Augusta University in Georgia.  

Isabella County casts ballots for change: Rejects millage to keep sheriff’s deputies on the roads

From late September into early November, Central Michigan Life reporters worked tirelessly to cover the 2024 election season, including local millages, county races, statewide campaigns and national issues.

On the day of the election, multiple reporters traveled to seven polling locations in Isabella County to collect voting numbers and interview voters from 8 a.m until 8 p.m that day. These interviews and polling numbers were released hourly until final elections numbers were calculated for the country, state and county.

Isabella County followed the national trend of moving toward fiscal conservancy, with a red sweep of contested county-wide races and the decision to reject a 1.45-mill question that would have kept 22 sheriff’s road patrol deputies, detectives and sergeants employed. Starting in 2025, those positions will be cut from the financially strapped county’s coffers.  

From a dark past, an illuminating future takes shape at Mount Pleasant Industrial Boarding School 

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (SCIT) is looking into a five to 10-year plan to renovate and restore the remaining buildings of the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School (MIIBS) in the hopes of opening the campus to the public and honoring those affected by its dreadful history. 

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is working to renovate the campus into places of quiet reflection and community gathering. 

Architect Christian Nakarado said even after the renovation, they “want the silence inside these buildings to speak for themselves.” 

“That probably means that we don’t renovate for the reuse of any of the buildings except for the workshop,” he said. “We want to encourage people who might visit the site to engage in a quiet reflection.”

He said the school’s workshop will be turned into a community center where the visitors can attend events.

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and Chairwoman of the MIIBS Committee Marcella Hadden said other plans for this project include a potential memorial garden and ensuring that the buildings’ structural integrity is safe for visitors.

“It’s going to encompass culture, language, healing and arts,” she said.

Football says goodbye to coach McElwain, welcomes Army offensive line coach Drinkall

On Nov. 20, head football coach Jim McElwain announced his retirement after six seasons with CMU. McElwain expressed his gratitude to players, coaches, and staff, calling his coaching journey “a true privilege.” 

“My wife Karen and I have cherished every moment of our football journey,” McElwain said in the announcement from CMU Athletics. “We want to express our deepest gratitude to the all the players who have welcomed us into their lives, and the incredible coaches and support staff at every stop along the way—it has been a true privilege to work alongside all of them. The lifelong friendships that were created mean the world to us.”

Following his retirement, McElwain will transition to a new role as Special Assistant to the Athletic Director. 

During his tenure, McElwain guided CMU to a 33-35 record, highlighted by a standout 2021 season with a 9-4 finish and a victory over Washington State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Under his leadership, the Chippewas earned two bowl game appearances and captured two Mid-American Conference West Division titles.

The team announced Dec. 9 that Army offensive line/co-offensive coordinator coach Matt Drinkall will take the helm. He met the public for the first time as head coach at a Dec. 11 “Fired Up to be a Chippewa” event.