When Noah Vermeulen crossed the commencement stage in Sparty’s green boots, he revealed more than a three-year secret.
Vermeulen, a 2026 computer science graduate in the Michigan State University College of Engineering, was one of three graduates revealed this spring as students who served as Sparty. The reveal, featured by MSUToday, also included John Morrison and Mitch Mills.
For Vermeulen, the moment marked the end of an MSU experience shaped by engineering, service, discipline and Spartan pride.
“I spent many late nights studying, working on projects and writing code, many times after running around as Sparty,” Vermeulen said. “Doing such a rigorous major in computer science, working internships and being Sparty all at the same time was actually quite the challenge. It took a lot of dedication, time management and care to be able to do well in everything.”
Vermeulen came to MSU looking for more than a technical education. He wanted to study engineering in a place that would help him understand people, solve problems and see the value of many disciplines.
“I wanted to go somewhere I could expand my worldview and see the good and the value of disciplines outside of engineering,” Vermeulen said. “Engineering is about serving others, and the only way to do that is to truly understand and know their needs. Being Sparty amplified all of these experiences greatly.”
In the College of Engineering, Vermeulen said he found support through the First-Year Engineering CoRe Experience, tutoring, career resources, student organizations, faculty and classmates. He said that support helped him manage the demands of computer science while also representing MSU as one of the university’s most recognizable figures.
“This experience has taught me that even when things feel busy and hard, with the right dedication and support system the impossible becomes possible,” he said.
One of the defining academic experiences of his time at MSU was CSE 498, the computer science capstone course. Vermeulen’s team worked with Stryker, gaining experience with client communication, product requirements and real-world problem-solving.
“The real-world skills I attained in that class by working with Stryker were invaluable,” Vermeulen said. “Learning how to work with a client, gain product insights and specifications, all from such warm and kind people, was incredible.”
He also credited Computer Science and Engineering faculty members Ritam Ganguly and Sebnem Onsay with supporting and encouraging him during his time at MSU. Ganguly, he said, was the first professor he told about serving as Sparty.
“He kept my secret locked tight, always encouraged me and gave me a massive hug after crossing the stage,” Vermeulen said.
While some of Vermeulen’s Sparty memories include major MSU athletic events, he said the smaller moments often meant the most.
“So many of my favorite moments as Sparty are the little ones,” he said. “You get to have front-row tickets to just how special MSU is to people.”
One favorite memory came on Valentine’s Day, when he appeared as Sparty wearing a tuxedo and cupid wings while handing out roses and Valentine’s cards.
“It was so special to see the way that it made people smile,” Vermeulen said. “You could truly tell it meant so much to them.”
For Vermeulen, serving as Sparty and studying engineering were connected by a shared purpose: helping people.
“My dream has always been to make people smile and to be a part of something greater than myself,” he said. “Becoming Sparty meant I got to do that every single day.”
After graduation, Vermeulen started working as a consulting engineer at FM360, where he helps facilities implement computerized maintenance management system software to improve maintenance planning, asset tracking and inventory management.
He leaves MSU with an engineering degree, a new professional role and a story that reflects the commitment of Spartan Engineers who lead, serve and solve problems in many different ways.
“Being a Spartan Engineer is a badge of pride,” Vermeulen said. “While the coursework at times can feel overwhelming, having graduated I look back on that time as a time of growth, not only teaching me the academic side of engineering, but the life skills of persistence, research and humility.”
Written by Austin Witt.
This story includes reporting from Laura Mazade’s MSUToday story, “Sparty reveal: Here are the 3 graduates who donned the boots.” Read the full and more on MSUToday.
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page