News

Devon Akmon’s professional updates and news on adventure and travel.

A Strenuous Ascent to the Summit of Whiteface & Esther Mountains

June 30, 2023 Adventure

Pursuing the ADK46 offers a unique set of challenges and rewards. Interestingly, these challenges and rewards often mirror each other. These mountains truly test both the body and the mind. Even though their elevation might not seem particularly high compared to the mountains out west, they nonetheless pose considerable challenges. The Adirondacks are exceptionally rugged, marked by steep pitches, muddy trails, and boulder-filled inclines. Introduce wet conditions to this mix, and these trails can quickly become treacherous. I was remindedRead More

Original Glamping: A Visit to Great Camp Sagamore

June 27, 2023 Adventure

My annual trip to the Adirondacks in upstate New York has become a cherished tradition. Currently, I am endeavoring to conquer the 46 High Peaks—a challenging quest given our home base in Michigan. Nonetheless, this ongoing mission affords us the chance to delve into the vastness of Adirondack State Park, which astoundingly exceeds the combined size of Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks. During this trip, we decided to indulge in a historical experience by spending a coupleRead More

Pedaling through History: A 335-Mile Bike Odyssey from Pittsburgh to D.C. via the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal

June 20, 2023 Adventure

I recently completed a 335-mile journey by bicycle from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. along the Great Allegheny Passage and the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal Towpath.

An Exhibition Supporting Experiential Learning And Student Success

May 3, 2023 News

The MSU Museum at Michigan State University has just opened a doorway to the past with its latest exhibition, “WKAR’s Legacy of Innovation.” This exhibition is a vibrant celebration of WKAR Public Media’s extensive history, marking its significant role in the mid-Michigan and Spartan communities for over a century. Furthermore, the exhibition serves a vivid testament to the power of collaboration, student engagement, and experiential learning. WKAR, based in East Lansing, Michigan, is a well-established public broadcasting service with aRead More

Ann Arbor Area Well-Positioned to Pursue an Affordable Live/Work Mixed-Use Facility for Artists and Creatives

April 1, 2023 News

A recent study conducted by Artspace, America’s leading nonprofit real estate developer of living spaces for artists and their businesses, has shed light on the potential for a new live/work mixed-use space for artists and creatives in Washtenaw County. At the invitation of local community leaders, and with financial support from the Song Foundation, Artspace conducted a Preliminary Feasibility Study to determine the viability of an affordable arts development project within the greater Ann Arbor area. The study, which demonstratesRead More

A Catalytic Gift to Support CoLab Studio

October 12, 2022 News, Uncategorized

On Monday, October 10, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) announced a $5.5M gift to advance three Michigan State University arts programs over the next five years. The announcement was made during a ceremony at Michigan State University Museum. This major gift is a continuation of MSUFCU’s investment in arts and cultural at MSU. The award will support three initiatives: the MSUFCU Arts Power Up Endowment, which will fund two pilot programs: the MSUFCU Arts Power Up Arts ResidenciesRead More

Exhibition & Programs Explore the Impact of the Global Climate Crisis

September 6, 2022 News

The MSU Museum is pleased to present 1.5° Celsius now through February 25, 2023. The exhibition and its supporting programs imagine new ways of addressing the social and environmental issues connected to the global climate crisis. Through the contributions of national and international artists, scientists, and researchers, the exhibition addresses the global climate crisis across three key themes. These themes focus on the interdependence of all life, imagined futures, and sustainable solutions to combat the global climate crisis. After reviewing over 175Read More

MSU Museum Reveals New Look and Purpose

August 25, 2022 News

The MSU Museum is pleased to introduce a new five-year strategic plan and the launch of a new Museum division focused on innovation and experimentation. The MSU Museum has been an important resource to the Michigan State University community for over 165 years. Since 1857, the Museum had been collecting objects and creating exhibitions that reflect our shared histories and experiences. However, we believe a university museum can and should be so much more. That is why the MSU MuseumRead More

Deseret News Marathon

July 25, 2022 Adventure

On Saturday, July 23, I completed my third marathon of the year by running the Deseret News Marathon in Salt Lake City. According to the race organizers, “the Deseret News Marathon is the oldest road race in Utah and the 4th oldest marathon west of the continental divide.” Further, the marathon celebrates Utah’s unique cultural heritage. The route for this small race begins on Big Mountain (approximately 7,420 feet in elevation), descends around 3,200 feet through Emigration Canyon, and endsRead More

Field of View: An Art x Science Film Series

May 23, 2022 News, News

After two years of social distancing and other precautions due to the ongoing pandemic, the MSU Museum is pleased to bring the local community together in an outdoor public setting for an exciting new films series that will entertain, enlighten, and illuminate minds.  Field of View: An Art x Science Film Series, co-presented by the MSU Museum, MSU Science Gallery, and the City of East Lansing, features a collection of eight thought-provoking documentaries exploring humankind’s understanding of the world. ThisRead More