Stephen M. Ross, founder and chairman of Related Companies, pledged last week to give a $200M gift to the University of Michigan, half of which will go to the Ross School of Business and the other half to the university’s athletics program. Ross first made a $100M donation toward the construction of new facilities for the business school in 2004. This latest gift makes him the most generous alumnus in U-Michigan history. “The University of Michigan had a profound impact on my life and I have received enormous satisfaction from being able to give back to the institution that played such a critical role in my success,” he stated, adding, “I am confident that the initiatives we undertake will further transform the business school.”
So, just what are these initiatives? According to the press release, Ross’s vision for the school includes expanding facilities, creating new scholarships opportunities and implementing projects to improve classroom technology. Incoming MBAs may look forward to the following proposed initiatives, according to the release:
- New spaces for students to study, collaborate and connect with each other, faculty and potential employers
- A state-of-the-art career services space, including an enhanced recruiting center to connect students with the best companies and careers
- New spaces to support an “admission to alumni” approach to student and career services, with dynamic events and opportunities on campus and beyond
- A space to bring together faculty, students and corporate partners to create practice-oriented research on topics of key importance to local and global firms
- Classrooms infused with advanced technology and innovative design to support in-person and virtual collaboration and connectivity on a global scale
- The seamless integration of new and existing facilities, both inside and out, to create one campus
- Scholarships for Ross students