I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ann Lurie, and join with her family and friends and the University of Michigan community in mourning her passing. Ann’s generosity catalyzed discoveries and created spaces that changed how our students learn. Her influence is felt deeply throughout our campus and community. Ann was committed …

(As prepared for delivery) As we begin, I’d especially like to thank Sarah Hubbard, our outgoing chair. In a year in which we have faced significant challenges, Sarah has been a committed leader, a steadfast supporter, and a passionate advocate for our university. During her tenure we broke ground on the U-M Center for Innovation …

Dear Deans, Directors and Department Heads: At the University of Michigan, we are devoted to the highest ethical standards. As university citizens, each of us has an essential role in fostering, sustaining, and strengthening our ethos of honor and integrity.  An important component of these values is our commitment to reporting suspected criminal activity, and …

Faculty, students and staff: The war in Gaza and reactions to it have proven challenging, not just for our university community, but for universities and other institutions both in our country and around the world. Times like these are exactly why freedom of expression is so important and must be honored at public institutions like …

(As prepared for delivery) I’d like to begin by congratulating all of our recent graduates – Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint. We’re so proud of them, we’re so grateful for the time we shared with them, and we’re looking forward to all they will achieve with their University of Michigan degrees. I’m also pleased to …

Dear members of the University of Michigan family, campuses and community, Today we’re celebrating our final commencement ceremonies. We’ve had 53 across our three campuses, and I’d like to congratulate each of you on the successful conclusion to another academic year, and to thank you for all that you did to make our finish memorable, …

Hello colleagues and friends across the U-M community. With another academic year behind us – and a summer full of sunshine ahead, it is an opportune moment to pause and reflect, to assess not only our achievements, but the state of our well-being. The well-being of our staff, students and faculty is and remains one …

Dear friends, colleagues, students, staff and members of our faculty,  For the past year, we have engaged in a strategic visioning process to determine what we will dare to achieve as a great public university. More than 25,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and local community members engaged in this highly collaborative process. Their input …

Dear students, faculty and staff: Last week we published a draft policy on disruptive activity with the goal of ensuring the university’s position is clear, easy to access, and supportive of our mission. We’ve received a robust response to our call for feedback. I’m encouraged by the passion and rigor with which our community has …

(As prepared for delivery) I’d like to begin by expressing my most sincere gratitude to Sally Churchill. This is her last meeting with us as U-M vice president and secretary, a position she has served in for nearly two decades. Sally will soon transition to service as special advisor to the vice president and secretary, …