June 2025
Dear colleagues, students, and alumni:
It has been a busy five weeks, and every day I am energized by the work of so many to demonstrate we are the premier public university in the country.
I’ve had very rewarding conversations with faculty leaders, deans and directors, student leaders, staff, coaches, and donors. There is a deep desire to broaden our impact and move us forward, which are my top priorities. I look forward to meeting with more members of the community, including more students, as the fall semester begins.Recently, we celebrated a transition in leadership of the Board of Regents.
I would like to thank Regent Kathy White for her service as Board Chair during one of the most unique years in U-M history. We’re grateful for your steady hand.
Regent Mark Bernstein will now pick up the baton. I’ve enjoyed my recent conversations with Regent Bernstein and look forward to working even more closely with him in his new role. Recruiting and selecting the next University of Michigan president is a tremendous responsibility, and his experience will provide critical leadership.
Excellence and honors
Leadership was a strong theme at our President’s Medal of Excellence luncheon earlier this week.
We honored five extraordinary people:
- Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, from Michigan’s 6th Congressional District.
- Jalen Rose, a philanthropist and sportscaster who was a member of the Fab Five basketball team.
- Alumni Fred and Judy Wilpon, longtime donors and founders of the Kessler Scholars Program that supports first-generation college students.
- And Dr. Francis Collins, who was director of the National Institutes of Health for 12 years. More importantly, he was a distinguished member of our faculty in the 1980s and ’90s
In July 2000, the Michigan Daily detailed Francis Collins’ progress as head of the Human Genome Project. (Image: The Michigan Daily Digital Archives, Bentley Historical Library.)
Dr. Collins had some powerful words about the critical value of, and need for, scientific research in this country. Medical and scientific discoveries throughout the decades are what have established American universities as the best in the world. He also spoke of the Michigan culture of being rigorous and bold, as well as taking calculated risks.
Dr. Collins called on all of us to stand up for the pursuit of knowledge, the joy of discovery, and the life-changing impact of research and education.
It was a perfect summation of who we are as a public university.
All of this activity is the essence of the University of Michigan and our mission to serve the world.
As we navigate our changing world, Michigan is investing more deeply in our students, who will leave here to contribute to our communities in ways that we can only imagine. We are increasing support for faculty and staff to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed in a work environment that is engaging, supportive, and safe. And we are broadening our commitment to Michigan families that a U-M education is affordable and attainable.
Forever Go Blue!
Domenico Grasso, PhD ’87
President
(Lead image: The first space mission led by the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy is scheduled to launch in 2029 with the support of a NASA grant worth $10 million. Researchers John Monnier, left, Shivani Sunil, center, and James Cutler, right, examine a CubeSat in the Michigan Exploration Laboratory. Image credit: Michigan Photography.)
Edward Prokopp - 1964 & 1969
2 Chinese spies working for the CCP were recently caught smuggling dangerous fungi into Michigan. They were working as researchers at U. of M. It is time to fire all Chinese nationals working at U. of M. and deport them immediately! What a colossal embarrassment..
Edward M. Prokopp, D.D.S.
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Eileen Feldman - 1966
We should vet and impress upon all researchers traveling abroad to meticulously follow protocol and accepted behavior. They reflect UM
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