Report from the

{ Vice President for Development }

JERRY A. MAY


Jerry A. May

This has been an extraordinary fiscal year, beginning in a time of excitement as we approached the final months of The Michigan Difference campaign, and ending with significant economic challenges. In spite of the severe downturn, 115,370 donors made gifts totaling $265,787,374 this year.

Our enormously successful Michigan Difference campaign that began in FY 2000 with a goal of raising $2.5 billion ended December 31, 2008, receiving a record $3.2 billion from 372,931 donors, the most raised by a public university at the time. These donors transformed the U-M, supporting students, faculty, 22 buildings and facilities, programs, and research. Their gifts are already at work.

Due to the passion and foresight of donors BARBARA and FREDERICK ERB (BBA ’47), PETER WEGE (HLLD ’07), and DONALD GRAHAM (BSEIE ’55, MSE ’56, HDENG ’09), sustainability is a focus of study and research university-wide. A new masters level program between the College of Engineering and the School of Natural Resources and Environment offers students an innovative course of study. These donor-supported initiatives fund a multi-disciplinary approach to the topic of sustainability.

The Life Sciences Institute, filled with more than 350 researchers, has taken a prominent place on campus. PAUL (AB ’74) and SUSAN (BSN ’74, PHD ’82) MEISTER named the directorship to honor President Mary Sue Coleman, a scientist and a champion of the institute.

The Health System transformation encompasses facilities, programs, professorships, and research. The first of its kind, the Depression Center brings together comprehensive clinical care, research, and education within the RACHEL UPJOHN BUILDING. The new C.S. MOTT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL will provide unparalleled care. D. DAN KAHN funded collaborative research into cardiovascular disease by physicians, scientists, and engineers working in biomedicine and bioengineering at U-M and Technion University, Israel. DELORES and WILLIAM BREHM (BS ’50, MS ’52) created a new center for type 1 diabetes research housed in the greatly expanded KELLOGG EYE CENTER. Research to battle disease received a powerful impetus with funding from A. ALFRED TAUBMAN (HLLD ’91) for the TAUBMAN MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE and TAUBMAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM. All areas of the Health System will benefit from the 99 endowed professorships donors created, bringing the total number of professorships in the Health System to 163.

On Central Campus, for the first time GERALD R. FORD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY students and faculty are together in one building, JOAN AND SANFORD WEILL HALL—studying, meeting, and attending presentations by top public policy leaders. At the STEPHEN M. ROSS SCHOOL OF BUISNESS, a striking new building has made possible an entirely new way of teaching and learning. Interactive classrooms and meeting spaces have brought students and faculty together in a way that can only be described as revolutionary. And speaking of revolutionary, the Museum of Art with its MAXINE AND STUART FRANKEL ABD THE FRANKELL FAMILY WING has taken a bold step by opening the facility to visitors in innovative ways. Multiple entrances encourage students to walk through and experience the greatly expanded exhibit spaces, and perhaps discover a piece of art they might not have otherwise seen.

Donors have transformed public spaces that the community as well as the university can enjoy. The MATTHAEI BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NICHOLS ARBORETUM created new exhibits and spaces for visitors of all ages. The Natural History Museum has a state-of-the-art planetarium projector. The WILLIAM E. UPJOHN EXHIBIT WING of the KELSEY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY makes it possible to exhibit far more of their astounding collection and provide greater educational opportunities.

On North Campus, the CHARLES R. WALGREEN, JR. DRAMA CENTER provides performance, rehearsal, and meeting space, as well as office space for faculty members. STAMPS AUDITORIUM provides a beautiful central venue for classes, performances, and presentations. The College of Engineering’s new facilities span disciplines from computer science to biomedical engineering to nanofabrication, providing classroom and research space, including space for research already benefiting the state’s economy through new ventures.

The top campaign priority for UM-Flint was to increase the number of student scholarships. Donors created 94 new scholarships, which helped contribute to the 4,400 awards made to students during this time. In addition, donors supported faculty and student research, as well as travel, through 28 new funds.

On the Dearborn campus, 13,000 donors gave more than $45 million, 10 percent more than the original $40 million goal. One major campaign success had an impact far beyond the Dearborn campus into K-12 schools: The Center for Mathematics Education worked with Wayne County schools to implement a new mathematics program, “Algebra for All,” that helps teachers improve their math teaching skills and students improve their algebra skills.

Every area of the University of Michigan has been touched by the success of the campaign, all of it made possible by private support from those who believe in this great university. Donors have made The Michigan Difference.

 

Jerry A. May Signature

Jerry A. May | Vice President for Development

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