Leaders & Best: Giving to Michigan

Happy National Lizard Day from Leaders & Best!

We’re marking it with a look back at U-M’s recent Science Olympiad STEM Expo, where more than 1,200 middle and high school students got up close to real specimens, including reptiles in jars and animal skulls, from the Museum of Zoology.

Teams from Michigan and beyond–some as far away as Peru–came out for hands-on experiences, inspiring the next generation of scientists to discover and protect lizards, reptiles, and amphibians.

Moments like these are supported by the Museum of Zoology Herpetology Research Gift, which equips student researchers and faculty curators with access to essential equipment and opportunities to share their findings. 🦎

Celebrate National Lizard Day with a gift at the link in the first comment.

Sometimes, comfort comes on four paws.

Therapy dog visits brought moments of joy to Michael and his family during his years of treatment at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.

Now, Darcy is honoring her husband’s memory by helping Paws for Patients bring that same comfort to others. 🐾

Join Darcy in giving back at the link in the first comment.

Many people who enter homeless shelters have jobs, and some even live in households with two incomes—but one unexpected expense can still be enough to put a family at risk of losing their home.

As a shelter volunteer, alumni Brendan LaFrenier (BS ’26) witnessed homelessness firsthand and wanted to do more than volunteer.

In just four days in March, LaFrenier ran 200 miles across Michigan, from Lake St. Clair northeast of Detroit to Lake Michigan in Holland. He raised more than $33,000 for 10 homeless shelters in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids.

At Wyoming Park Family Shelter in Grand Rapids, $6,000 is already helping families handle urgent expenses and move forward on their own terms. 🏃

Stress and anxiety are part of life, but having the right tools can make all the difference.

Now, Michigan Medicine patients can discover what mindfulness brings to their lives, thanks to a gift from alumni Bob Merion (MD ’79, Residency ’86) and Debbie Merion (MSW ’78).

Patients can join new six-to-eight week mindfulness-based stress reduction practice classes through the Integrative Family Medicine Program.

Through meditation, yoga, and body-awareness exercises, they’ll build research-backed skills to support their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being—tools they can carry into everyday life.

“My hope is not only that this program will grow and that people will individually improve from it,” said Debbie, “but that the improvements will ripple out into the community, the Ann Arbor community, and the world.” 🧘‍♀️

Learn more at the link in the first comment.

What do a sea god sculpture, the former home of a Holocaust hero, and two 150-year milestones have in common?

They’re all part of University of Michigan history—and they were all honored by the city of Ann Arbor this year.

At Ann Arbor’s 39th Annual Historic Preservation Awards, the city honored U-M’s care for the Cooley Memorial Fountain, the relocation of the Raoul Wallenberg House, the College of Pharmacy’s 150th anniversary and 150 years since U-M awarded its first Ph.D. degrees.

“Preserving these places is about more than maintaining beautiful buildings. It is also about honoring our history while ensuring these spaces continue to serve and inspire future generations,” said Sue Gott, associate director of planning and communication in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. ⛲

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum holds a special place in the hearts of William and many others. Thank you to all the donors who help it flourish! 🌱

Today’s students will become tomorrow’s founders, innovators, and leaders.

With the launch of the Look to Women initiative, the Ross School of Business brings together women and champions of women’s leadership to help more students access opportunities that will shape their futures.

Look to Women will help Ross students:
- Access scholarships and fellowships that reduce financial barriers
- Bring new ideas forward through entrepreneurship and innovation
- Connect with leaders through meaningful mentorship opportunities

By opening more doors for students today, Look to Women is helping prepare students to make an impact at Michigan and beyond. 🤝

When she talks about the University of Michigan, first-gen alumna P.M.R. (AB 1973; MA ’76) doesn’t mention rankings or accolades. She talks about gratitude.

“This is my way of giving back everything I can to the place that opened the world to me,” P.M.R. reflects.

Through a combination of university scholarships, state grants, and federal aid, P.M.R. was able to attend Michigan and graduate debt‑free, earning a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a master’s degree in art history.

Now, fifty years later, P.M.R.'s planned gift to the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts will create a scholarship for first‑generation, low‑income students, empowering Wolverines as they build futures of their own.

“Michigan gave me a bright future, providing a path out of poverty by giving me the skills to succeed,” she said. “I wanted to honor the university and express my deep gratitude by establishing a scholarship.” 〽️

Learn more at the link in the first comment.

After the heartbreak of losing their daughter, Daria, to complications of autoimmune diseases, Tillman and Margie Dozier never forgot the compassionate care she received at U-M.

“It wasn’t just care,” said Tillman. “Daria’s nurse went beyond care. She was so considerate of our daughter. Although Daria was critically ill, she could still comprehend. She asked if she was dying, and the nurse was so giving and so caring and she and our daughter had an exchange going beyond normal care. That we will always remember. It was very special.”

In honor of Daria, the Doziers are helping more patients and families experience that same compassion by making gifts to support the Department of Rheumatology and the clinical nurses in the Critical Care Unit.

“I wanted to help improve patient care and outcomes by helping patients have increased understanding of their diseases, and to also help them access health care more readily,” Margie said, adding, “We want to support [nurses’] concerns, education, or whatever is helpful to them.”

Learn more at the link in the first comment.