Michigan State’s board of trustees meeting was interrupted by angry and vocal students in response to new facts surrounding the school’s handling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case.
Upset that the enrollment had no say in who would take over the MSU presidency following Lou Anna Simon’s resignation last week, one frustrated student jumped atop a table immediately following the board’s approval of ex-Governor John Engler as interim president.
Said MSU senior Connor Berdy to WZZM, "It came as a surprise to us, that you know not only that he was the choice but that it had been done so quickly without any input from faculty and students.”
Though students served as the vocal interrupters during the board’s proceedings, several professors, such as Liam Brockey, felt the same frustration as the school’s decision was hastily made with little input from stakeholders in the decision.
"We’re here frustrated that we can’t attend the meeting, they have stopped people from going upstairs to the meeting," he said. "I'd like to attend this meeting it concerns the administration of my university where I work, I am a faculty member as far as I know this is not a corporation, this is a university and it should be run like a university.”
His complaints were echoed by his peer, professor Andaluna Borcila, who felt that the university was more interested in avoiding the fallout than taking hosting a candid discussion about failures. Despite a press release from the newly appointed president ensuring his only goal is to address the scandal’s fallout, Borcila isn’t buying the rhetoric in the absence of student input. Nor are many others, who pejoratively categorize Engler as a “politician” rather than an earnest agent of change at the school.
"I don’t think they listen and I don’t know that they care that faculty and students who want to be there can’t be there," she said. To that end, Faculty Senate member Laura McCabe has threatened a vote of no confidence in the board. If successful, they would demand their wholesale resignation.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.