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Pre51CJentsthe Club I Prest&ntsthe Club The University of Michigan Annual Report 1975-76 The Purposes To stimulate the active interest and to encourage participation of alumni and friends in the affairs of the University. To establish an exemplary pattern of substantial giv­ ing to the University by alumni and friends. To sponsor meetings of its members and University representatives to discuss the plans, problems, and objectives of The University of Michigan. To provide recognition to devoted alumni and friends who become members. The Reasons Perhaps the spirit that first enabled The University of Michigan to achieve greatness can be called sim­ ply a Michigan tradition. It still exists today-just as strong, just as imbued with fervor and glory. So spirit and tradition are not meaningless words. They concisely sum up the reason for Michigan's record of distinguished achievement in education, research, and public service. They also are the reasons why a group of dedicated alumni, who desired to help the University maintain its tradi­ tional record of academic growth and pioneering research, established The President's Club. From the President This Annual Report provides a welcome occasion for me to ex­ press my deepest thanks for the loyal support given to The Univer­ sity of Michigan by members of The Presidents Club. As members of The Presidents Club, Sally and I enjoy the camaraderie and the sincere interest in the University that we find expressed at the Annual Meeting and as we meet with various members throughout the year. As president of The University of Michigan, I can assure you that your gifts endow us with the financial flexibility that is essen­ tial to maintain the unique enrichment and expanded oppor­ tunities that make Michigan a leading institution of higher educa­ tion. The national reputation of our Presidents Club is in keeping with the traditional standard of excellence set by the University. Each year, the enthusiasm of club members seems to grow, as does our membership. The exceptional growth of The Presidents Club during times of economic fluctuation is a great tribute to the University. In a period when higher education faces new trials, new challenges, and growing criticism, and when the importance of higher education itself is being questioned by some, the financial resources and the dedicated volunteer services you devote to your University emphatically affirm the value that you place on your education. We are most grateful for your continuing interest and for your desire to maintain your University "among the leaders and the best." ~ R. W. Fleming 3 1976 Executive Committee Regent-Emeritus Robert P. Briggs, Chairman Elk Rapids, Michigan Fleming Barbour, M.D. Joseph H. Parsons Flint, Michigan Detroit, Michigan Peter A. Patterson Fritz R. Damm Grand Rapids, Michigan Detroit, Michigan Millard H. Pryor Cameron L. Davis Ann Arbor, Michigan Kalamazoo, Michigan John E. Rieck er Regent-Emeritus Midland, Michigan Paul G. Goebel Grand Rapids, Michigan Max Robert Schrayer Chicago, Illinois H. James Gram Detroit, Michigan Charles E. Stilec Detroit, Michigan Mr._ ~nd Mrs. P~ter ~ · Patterson from Grand Rapids, Michigan, enjo in the Mrs. George J. Huebner, Jr. e~h1bC1t at th~ Umvers1ty Museum of Art. Mr. Patterson is chairman oft~e :lan­ Thomas E. Sunderland Bloomfield Hills, Michigan nmg omm1ttee for the 1976 Annual Meeting. Scottsdale, Arizona Mrs. Ernest A. Jones Harold S. Voegelin Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Los Angeles, California Harold V. Maurer Theodore R. Vogt Delray Beach, Florida Toledo, Ohio Francis W. Morley Charles Walgreen, III Chicago, Illinois Chicago, Illinois Frederick J. Vogt, Honorary Life Member Grand Rapids, Michigan Alene S m1·t h (Mrs. Allen F.) from -Ann Arbor chats with Robert Briggs. 5 4 Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stilec from Detroit arriving at the Museum of Art for the business meeting. Chairman's Report The occasion of this fifteenth Annual Report is a good time to take stock of our program. The Presidents Club continues to prosper. By all accounts, there is no doubt that this is the finest organization of its type in the country. Our membership has grown by 230 since the last Annual Meeting, our largest spurt in growth ever, to reach a total of 1,776. Many of these new members were recruited by Paul Goebel. But many were also enlisted by other volunteers who are participating more and more, following the outstanding example set early in our club's history by Paul Goebel and Fred Vogt. A special thanks goes to each member who solicited or suggested new members. In fact, our volunteer program is of such high quality and has at­ tracted so much national attention that it recently won the Grand Award in the "Special Constituencies Giving Program of the Year" category in the recognition program sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Attendance at the 1975 Annual Meeting remained high, as close to 500 people participated in the festivities. The meeting opened in the Museum of Art where its director, Bret Waller, addressed the group. Later, members toured the museum, which contains many works of art donated by members of The Presidents Club. It was followed by a luncheon featuring a "Profile of Today's Students" Mr. and Mrs. Norris Host from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Margaret Host is presented by club member and Vice-President for Academic Af­ the president of the Alumni Association. fairs Frank H. T. Rhodes, Vice-President for Student Services 6 7 Henry Johnson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions Clifford Sjogren, and Director of Career Planning and Placement Evart c~n be made with confidence that they will be husbanded and used Ardis. ~1sely to ~urt.her the enhancement of the leadership of Th U . Another highlight was the panel "A Showcase of Some of the s1ty of Michigan. e mver- Latest Research Projects" chaired by club member William h O~ behal If of the Executive Committee permit me to extend a Haber, adviser to the executive officers of the University. We e.ar y we come to all new members. To all members h heard stimulating reports on research accomplishments from m.1tte~ extends the hope that each of you is proud of' ~~r cio~­ Angus Campbell, former director of the Institute for Social tnbutt.ons to the club which is dedicated to making a . y . - Research; Robert B. Zajonc, professor of psychology; A. Rees ment I~ the future of mankind. umque mvest- Midgley, Jr., chairman, Biomedical Research Council, and ho~~~v~;icahs Ichsahirmll anh o~ thhe }committee has been a privilege and Frederick C. Neidhardt, chairman, Department of Microbiology. a c ens a ways. The traditional tea at the home of President and Mrs. R. W. Flem­ ing and the president's address at the banquet also were highlights. Most of us owe our start to The University of Michigan. Upon graduation our diplomas said to the world, "Look, I know something. Now give me a chance." Because of the quality of ~ education at The University of Michigan, more than the usual Robert P. Briggs number of opportunities have been opened to us. Having experienced various affiliations with the University over many years, I have been gratified to see the University grow and consistently maintain its leadership throughout the world. It has been thrilling to participate in and to witness the growth of private gift support as increasing numbers of alumni and friends have chosen to invest in the future of The University of Michigan by providing supplemental financial support. Indeed, financial flexibility has been an essential element ena­ bling the University to remain in the forefront of higher education. Often, a relatively small amount of capital, judiciously applied, can yield bountiful dividends in the enrichment of University life. Both designated and undesignated gifts are of great value, but un­ designated dollars are becoming increasingly impo:r:~ant, especially since they become the seed money for new or little known research and educational frontiers. During the last three years, undesignated funds have provided emergency financial aid, research internships, and rewards for out­ standing teaching. They have also made it possible for the Univer­ sity to become a center for the exchange of information in study conferences on women's sports, alternative careers for doctoral candidates, and the economic outlook. The University Values Program attracted wide attention and was supported by undesignated gifts. The role of the University in a controversial genetic research area, "moderate risk" recombi­ nant DNA, was throughly examined in a number of nationally recognized programs sponsored by these funds. International Women's Year activities were underwritten by un­ designated giving, as were a number of special lectures. Unique op­ portunities were made available, such as the residency of exiled Russian poet Joseph Brodsky. The University's need for undesignated gifts is great. Such gifts Robert P Briggs of Elk R 'd M' h' 1976 Exe~utive Comm1'tte apf1 Ts,h pie J~dan.