No matter how much we might wish otherwise, all good things must come to an end. It’s the last day of another semester at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. As final examinations get under way, some students are turning their attention to the next academic year while others (like me) prepare to venture out into the world with the skills they’ve learned. 

The end of a school year can feel bittersweet. We look forward to a brief respite from the stresses of academic life, the constant deadlines, and the routine of class schedules. At the same time, we know all too well the sense that the book is closing on a distinct chapter in our lives. 

This bittersweetness is present in any year, but perhaps particularly at the end of this one. Coming off two semesters disrupted by the pandemic, we finally had the chance to return to Weill Hall and learn alongside one another rather than through the confines of a computer screen. We were able to attend in-person gatherings, laugh at each other’s stories, and commiserate about the challenges we faced. After a period of extraordinary upheaval, we got to experience the joy of genuine human connection. 

Despite the curveballs we’ve seen as a community, state, country, and world, in many ways this year has been a gift for those of us fortunate enough to spend time at this special place. It isn’t often in life we have the opportunity to spend two years surrounded by passionate, dedicated future leaders committed to creating a better world. 

As I look back on my two years at Ford, I’m exceedingly grateful for the kind, talented individuals I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned, and the commitment this community has shown to meaningfully improving people’s lives.

With my time coming to an end here at Ford, my thoughts turn to our incoming cohort and the countless future Fordies down the road. This school has offered a warm, welcoming environment in which I have learned, laughed, and thrived. For every person who chooses to study at this remarkable institution, I hope you find the same sense of belonging and community that I have. Go Blue.

It’s the first day of Fall here in Ann Arbor, which means college football is in full swing. While last season looked a bit different due to public health restrictions, Michigan Stadium is open again and fans can be there in person to watch the Maize & Blue take to the turf. 

If you’re new to the University of Michigan, the hype around football can be a bit overwhelming. Game days in Ann Arbor brings tens of thousands of people from all over the country and world to our little corner of the Great Lakes State. So whether you’re returning to the Ford School or setting foot here for the first time, let’s do a crash course on the basics of Michigan Football. 

Overview:

• The University of Michigan’s athletic teams are known as the Wolverines, known for their distinctive winged helmet design and bold maize (yellow) & blue uniforms.
• Since 2015, Jim Harbaugh has served as head coach of the Michigan football team. Previously, Harbaugh was head coach of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and the Stanford Cardinal football team. A “Michigan Man” through and through, Harbaugh previously played for the Wolverines as a quarterback from 1982-1986. 
• The Wolverines play at Michigan Stadium (known as “The Big House”), a massive 107,601-capacity arena that is the largest stadium in the U.S. and the third-largest in the world. 
• The Wolverines play in the Big 10 Conference and have major rivalries with the Michigan State Spartans and the Ohio State Buckeyes. 
• The Michigan Wolverines are one of the most successful collegiate football programs in history, holding the record for all-time wins and claiming 11 national championships. 
• On any game day, you can be sure to hear “The Victors”, the famous fight song of the university. 
• The only Michigander to serve as president of the United States, our namesake Gerald R. Ford, played football for the Wolverines in the early 1930s before attending Yale Law School and enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

The 2021 season for the Michigan Wolverines:

• The team is currently 3-0 to start the season after wins against Western Michigan, Washington, and Northern Illinois. 
• This weekend at 3:30 PM ET, the Wolverines will take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium for the annual Homecoming game.
• After their undefeated start to the season, the Wolverines are currently ranked 19th in the nation in college football. 
• Going forward, the Wolverines are set to face the Michigan State Spartans (Oct. 30), the Penn State Nittany Lions (Nov. 13), and the Ohio State Buckeyes (Nov. 27) in Big 10 matchups sure to entertain. 

We could go on and on, but hopefully we’ve given you enough of the basics to really ace those on-campus conversations throughout the season. Stay tuned for more from “Inside the Ford School”.

It’s the start of a new semester here at the Ford School and the doors of Weill Hall are finally open once again. For the first time in months, Fordies are coming together in person to dive into the challenges facing our community, state, country, and world. 

Students from numerous backgrounds returned to Weill Hall, some fresh off summer internships, others new to the area and ready to embark on the exciting challenge offered by life at the Ford School. 

Though the semester is in its early days, events are already underway on campus to help Fordies connect with one another and the broader world of public policy. 

Last week, students, faculty, and staff got together outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and some ice cream at Ford’s Fall Launch & Ice Cream Social. On Thursday, UM students had the opportunity to hear from the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission about the new process for mapping Michigan’s congressional and legislative district boundaries for the coming decade. 

As we kick off Week 2 of the semester, we’re celebrating the Michigan Wolverines’ dominant 47-14 victory over the Western Michigan University Broncos last Saturday. Here’s hoping for another win this weekend as the Wolverines take on the Washington Huskies. Go Blue!

Distinguished alumni, faculty, and leaders from a variety of sectors are always coming to campus to discuss the topics of the day. Be on the lookout for exciting Ford School and UM events in the coming weeks!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are at the heart of the University of Michigan’s vision for student life and academic success on campus. The university is currently in the fifth year of its five-year strategic plan to promote these values. In addition to a campus-wide plan, every school, college, and unit at the University of Michigan drafted DEI plans specific to their own circumstances. Students and faculty alike complete yearly educational trainings on myriad topics including gender-based and sexual misconduct prevention. Each year, the university releases a report detailing progress made during each step of the strategic plan.

In year four, Michigan made progress as a campus community in implementing or continuing programs designed to make the university a more welcoming and safe place for all our students. Re-opened in 2019, the Trotter Multicultural Center resumed its provision of student support services and academic courses. This is just one of the many efforts undertaken by UMich in recent years to improve life on campus. Check out the report on year four here.

Be on the lookout for more information on the university’s DEI strategic plan and its progress.