ISHPEMING – Michigan State University AgeAlive will host its 2026 Education & Research Forum and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, bringing together researchers, direct care workers, caregivers, students and community partners for a dynamic statewide event focused on “Advancing Mobility Across Settings as We Age.”

The primary in-person event will take place at MSU Federal Credit Union Headquarters Building 1 in East Lansing (3777 West Road), with a concurrent Upper Peninsula viewing site at the Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center (121 Greenwood St.). Virtual participation will also be available via Zoom. Premier sponsors include IMPART Alliance and the Tri-County Office on Aging.

The event runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. for registration, a light breakfast and networking with vendors and community resource partners.

Attendees in East Lansing will experience the forum live, including opportunities to engage with speakers, participate in interactive discussions, view student research poster presentations and tour the Direct Care Worker Mobile Training Unit. The AgeAlive Awards Ceremony, held at 1 p.m., will recognize leaders in aging-related research, intergenerational programming and community impact. Awardees include Tamara Reid Bush, Ph.D., professor, Mechanical Engineering and associate dean for Inclusive Excellence (Research in Aging Award), Peter Berg, Ph.D., professor, School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, College of Social Science (Research in Aging Award), Allison Stawara, MSU alum and community farm manager, Partridge Creek Farm (Intergenerational Award), and Maureen McCabe-Power, community member (Legacy Award).

Participants at the Ishpeming site will join via live broadcast, with on-site facilitation and opportunities to connect with local organizations and resources supporting older adults across the Upper Peninsula.