Galleries

Mary Lewandowski: Life as a transgender man

Since he was four, Ellyot Gryczewski knew he wanted to be a boy. Two years ago, he took the steps to begin his transition and now the Perrysburg, Ohio graduate student is living life as an openly transgender man.

It was only when he got to college, did Gryczewski decide to start his journey. Once a week he takes a testosterone shot and will have to for the majority of his life in order to regulate his hormones and increase testosterone levels in his body. Gryczewski has recently gotten married to wife Karlie Penn, and is now a father to their daughter, Rien. 

In the future, Gryczewski hopes to open a home for people in the LGBTQ community to live, who have been kicked out of their homes by guardians or family members.

Emma Sydor: Refugees in Michigan

In 2016, Michigan resettled 1,300 refugees from Iraq.

Among them was the Al-Dulaimi family. 

Arriving in America eleven months ago, the family of seven settled in Grand Rapids and in their short time in America, the family has developed a strong community with other refugee families.

Ammar Al-Dulaimi refers to their community as his “family in America.” The families help each other adjust to life in America and provide support for each other with everything from helping each other to learn how to read English, paying bills and finding employment. It’s not all hard work though: the Al-Dulamimis and their “family in America” also frequently get together to celebrate holidays and help the younger members of their communities and families with schoolwork. 

Their found family is made up of a number of other refugee families who have been in America for a range from nine months to as long as 12 years.

Veterans

Portraits of student veterans taken on Nov. 10 in the Wightman Hall studio.

FantastiCon 2017

FantastiCon, a two day convention, was held at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 in the hotel's Entertainment Hall.

Slut Walk 2017

Students and community members participated in a Slut Walk on April 8 to advocate against sexual violence. Participants marched from the Bovee University Center to downtown Mt. Pleasant.

Greek Olympic Games

Over 1,500 sorority and fraternity members gathered for Greek Olympic Games on April 4 in McGuirk Arena. The organizations competed in various games to earn points for their chapter.

Gender and Sexuality Center Rally

Students marched from Anspach Hall to Warriner Hall on March 30 to deliver a petition to President Ross to approve funds for a Gender and Sexuality Center on campus.

Up All Night 2017

Students participated in Up All Night on March 25 and March 26 in the Student Activity Center. Bubble soccer, a tie-dye station, and henna tattoos were some of the many activities that were available for students to enjoy.

Your Vote, Your Voice

Students sound off on what this election means to them, the issues they care about and who they voted for.

Relay for Life 2016

Relay for Life, held in the IAC on April 9, 2016 generated money for cancer research and also allowed hundreds of people in the community to honor those that have been affected by cancer.

Students Protest Rick Snyder

Students and community members gathered Jan. 22, by the Fabiano Botanical Garden to call for Gov. Rick Snyder's resignation and to support the people of Flint.

National Guard delivers bottled water, filters to Flint

Water bottles were distributed to Flint residents on Jan. 23 at the Flint Fire Department. Community members lined up down the block to receive water bottles and water filters from National Guard members. Donations were also taken at the Fire Department.