Ritual warfare between freshman and sophomore men had erupted every autumn at Michigan since at least the Civil War. But Black Friday 1908 turned especially nasty. The administration declared the annual rush ‘an abomination, a disgrace to an American university.’

President Domenico Grasso announced Sept. 18 that the University will invest $50 million to move forward in establishing a permanent center dedicated to diversity of thought and civil discourse.

Located at the North Campus Facilities Services Building, the installations include both a rooftop array and a solar carport. Together, they provide nearly 600 kilowatts of renewable power; enough to supply electricity for about 100 average Michigan homes. They represent the first step in the University’s plan to add a total of 25 megawatts of solar capacity across all campuses.

Known for their celebration of diverse artists and musical genres, the Michigan Marching Band, in collaboration with the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance Department of Musical Theatre and Percussion Studio, performed songs from the Broadway musical and feature film franchise “Wicked” during halftime at Michigan Stadium Sept. 13.

Philanthropic activity at U-M was strong in fiscal year 2025, with donors giving $886 million, up 13% from the previous fiscal year. This generous support made FY ’25 the University’s second-highest fundraising year ever. Giving was buoyed by U-M’s launch in October of the most ambitious campaign in public higher education, Look to Michigan, with a $7 billion goal.

Founded in 1875, U-M’s School of Dentistry originated in a renovated professor’s house with three faculty members welcoming the first 20 students. Today, the school is ranked No. 1 in the 2025 QS World University Ranking for Dentistry. View a timeline celebrating milestones in research and patient care, including the school’s forthcoming Digital Dentistry Center.

When the Women’s Basketball team joined with Team IMPACT to support a young woman with Down syndrome, they were in for a big surprise. Before long, Livonia-based Sunny Shemet was supporting them, enlivening the team bench and lighting up the lockerroom. ‘Her impact on the program was amazing,’ says Coach Kim Barnes-Arrico of Sunny’s two seasons with the Wolverines.

It’s a typical day at the hospital for Dashiel. His job, which is based in several units at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, demands a lot from him, but luckily, he always comes prepared. He always has his Mcard ID — clipped securely to his vest — a big smile, and a good attitude. As a Lipschutz-Danzansky Family Paws4Patients Program therapy dog at Michigan Medicine, he doesn’t need much else: just someone to love on and care for.

Three months into his U-M presidency, Domenico Grasso, PhD ’87, is focused on protecting the university, both physically and intellectually. “We want people to engage in difficult conversations because it’s those conversations that move society forward,” Grasso says. “It comes down to intellectual empathy.”