STORIES OF IMPACT

The University of Michigan’s Africa Week brought together leaders in higher education, industry, and government for a series of inspiring virtual discussions, from February 15-19, 2021. The conference event addressed key opportunities and challenges that will shape Africa in the coming decades, and outlined several directions to expand and strengthen the collaborations between U-M and present and future African partners.

“The Stamps Scholarship completely transformed my entire undergraduate experience,” she said. “I never had to work jobs to pay for school or my living expenses, which has allowed me to invest my time in the opportunities I’m truly passionate about.”

Though he is not yet 30, Kyle has created an estate gift to support what he is most passionate about at U-M.

We are proud to present the winning submission of this year's Lunar New Year design contest, created by current Stamps School of Art & Design student Katherine Lee.⁠

University of Michigan students quickly learn that they are connected to a global Wolverine community boasting over 600,000 living alumni, and students have relied on these networks for invaluable support both during and after their time at U-M. At the School of Kinesiology’s Sport Management Program, a group of alumni fully embrace that Michigan spirit and have turned their passion for U-M into support for students.

In December, Leaders & Best caught up with several University of Michigan alumnae working in the international startup space to learn more about the tech industry overseas and how U-M helped lay the foundation for their careers in entrepreneurship.

The story of Skylar Herbert, a joyous and bright five-year-old girl who became the first child in Michigan to die from coronavirus complications. It was April 2020, the beginning of the pandemic. Skylar’s parents, LaVondria and Ebbie Herbert—both first responders in Detroit, Michigan—admitted their daughter to the hospital. What all started with a severe headache eventually resulted in a positive test for COVID-19. At a time when children were thought to be unaffected by the coronavirus, the news was both shocking and devastating to the Herberts.

University of Michigan alumni Jonathan and Kelly Opdyke were born and raised with Michigan in their blood and a love for the Motor City. Recently, they invested in the revitalization of Detroit through gifts to U-M’s School of Dentistry and School of Education.

When visa application centers closed worldwide earlier this year in response to COVID-19, many international students were left wondering if they would receive...

Imagine a pill you could take that would increase your happiness, longevity, and quality of sleep. And on top of that, it would decrease your susceptibility to COVID-19, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and depression. The side effects? More friends and better sex… you’d start taking it immediately, right? According to Vic Strecher, this medicine exists—but it’s not a pill. And it’s also not something your doctor can prescribe. The medicine is living a more purposeful life. And philanthropy, as it turns out, is one way you can become more purposeful.

Neal Hautz grew up in rural Boyne City, Michigan. From a young age, he learned the importance of service and community.

Thirty years ago, U-M faculty member Buzz Alexander founded PCAP to bring those impacted by the justice system and the University of Michigan community into artistic and educational collaboration. In partnership with U-M students, faculty, staff, and community volunteers, PCAP fosters the creation of original works in theater, writing, music, visual art, and photography. The year-round programming reaches 26 adult Michigan correctional facilities, a federal correctional facility, several youth facilities, the Center for Forensic Psychiatry, and a public housing community.

Interning at Nike has been a dream opportunity for Michigan Engineering's Kori Maxie to merge her love of sports and science. It’s an experience she’s unquestionably earned, but one that couldn’t have been made a reality without scholarship support.