Tina Marakas Battle and Tim Battle have made a generous gift to the garden to support the Gateway to Nature project and our Beal Scholars program. We asked them to share their Spartan journey and what made them decide to support this project.

Please tell us a little about yourselves.
We have lived in Troy, Michigan for almost 30 years and it is where we raised our three children (triplets!). Tina recently retired after practicing law for 38 years. Tim also recently retired after a 40-year career in engineering, IT, and project management.

Tina is very involved in volunteering and fundraising for the Alzheimer's Association, is a volunteer at the Stage Nature Center, and is a member of both the Troy Nature Photo Club and the Troy Garden Club. Tim is involved with the Friends of the Troy Public Library and serves on a city commission.

We enjoy spending time with family, travel, hiking, and exploring fun and interesting places in Michigan.

What is your family's connection to Michigan State University?
Tina is a lifelong Spartan (both of her parents graduated from  MSU) and she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History/Education in 1982 and Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law) in 1986. Tim graduated from MSU's Executive MBA Program in 1996. Two of our children are also MSU graduates, both from the Eli Broad College of Business. One received a degree in accounting, while the other completed a degree in finance.

Do you have a special memory of campus?
One of Michigan State's greatest assets is its beautiful, green campus. The greenery of the Beal Botanical Garden is the focal point on campus, radiating natural beauty. Tina loved walking and biking to class while a student and remembers the garden as a beautiful campus haven.

What is your connection to Beal Botanical Garden?
We come up to campus several times a year and always make it a point to walk through the garden and admire the lush plants and majestic trees.

What made you choose Beal Botanical Garden for your gift, and the Beal Scholars program in particular?
Whether we are enjoying local parks, state parks, or National Parks, we understand the positive impact that nature can have on a person's health, wellbeing, and development. We [also] appreciate the Beal Botanical Garden as a beautiful and unique part of campus and wanted to support the mission of the garden. Recognizing these benefits made our decision to donate to the Beal Scholars program an easy one. 

The Beal Scholars program provides an excellent opportunity for students to get hands-on experience to explore an area that interests them as well as benefits the entire MSU community. Through our contribution, we aim to help bring the experience of nature to more people and foster the positive impact that the outdoors can provide. 

What was it about the Gateway to Nature project that resonated with you?
We feel that connecting to nature provides many benefits in health and wellness, which is extremely important in our fast-paced and technology driven society. We are hopeful that the Gateway to Nature project will give the MSU community an opportunity for mindfulness and getting back to basics.

What is your hope for Beal Botanical Garden, especially in terms of how we can support future generations of students?
Beautiful, green spaces around the Michigan State campus, including the Beal Botanical Garden, are important for current and future students in that they allow for calm and reflective places, afford respite from the stressful and fast-paced academic life, and create cherished memories that provide a lasting connection to campus. We hope that Beal Botanical Garden continues to be a world-class garden that provides opportunities for educational experiences for students, volunteer opportunities for dedicated people, and a place of beauty where the public can connect with nature.

Is there anything else you would like to share?
Go Green!