Leaders & Best: Giving to Michigan

Leaders & Best: Giving to Michigan Celebrating the University of Michigan's philanthropic spirit and impact on our world. Check out Michigan Giving at giving.umich.edu 🎁

Leaders & Best publishes stories of the University of Michigan’s most remarkable people, programs, and happenings. As a university publication, it caters to the donors and volunteers who help make Michigan a world-class university with global reach and limitless potential. On this page, we celebrate the U-M community’s philanthropic spirit by highlighting its far-reaching influence on our state, o

ur nation, and our world—because we don’t just believe in giving to Michigan. We believe in giving through Michigan.

Recently, University of Michigan School of Nursing students volunteered at Gleaners Community Food Bank as part of their...
05/27/2026

Recently, University of Michigan School of Nursing students volunteered at Gleaners Community Food Bank as part of their Population Health clinical course, gaining firsthand experience with the social determinants of health and the realities of food insecurity in our communities.

By helping prepare and distribute food, students connected clinical learning with community impact, building empathy, leadership, and a deeper understanding of person-centered care.

Experiences like these prepare future nurses to care for patients, not just in hospitals, but in the context of their everyday lives.

Ready to get that garden planted? Be sure to stop by the native plant sale at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols...
05/26/2026

Ready to get that garden planted? Be sure to stop by the native plant sale at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum Saturday, May 30 through Sunday, May 31, and help foster biodiversity in your own garden! 🪴

Members shop early and receive a discount. Proceeds go to MBGNA.

Let us honor and remember the lives of all those who have served our country.
05/25/2026

Let us honor and remember the lives of all those who have served our country.

Spring has arrived and brought with it to the Leaders & Best a new chancellor for UM-Dearborn, first-gen students findin...
05/22/2026

Spring has arrived and brought with it to the Leaders & Best a new chancellor for UM-Dearborn, first-gen students finding their way at U-M thanks to scholarship support, lasting impact from one very special U-M alumna and longtime donor, The Michigan Daily celebrating gifts that support its independent journalism, and more.

Hanna felt inspired to give thanks to the University of Michigan-Flint food pantry.
05/21/2026

Hanna felt inspired to give thanks to the University of Michigan-Flint food pantry.

For Kevin Towns, scholarship support isn’t just part of his job, it’s personal.As University of Michigan-Dearborn financ...
05/19/2026

For Kevin Towns, scholarship support isn’t just part of his job, it’s personal.

As University of Michigan-Dearborn financial aid director, Towns helps students navigate the path to higher education every day. But his passion comes from experience: Scholarships made it possible for him to attend college and changed the course of his life.

Now, Kevin is dedicated to helping students overcome financial barriers and access the opportunities they deserve. His story is a powerful reminder of how donor support can open doors, transform futures, and create lasting impact across generations.

When their daughter, Sari, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Matt and Jill Kripke faced fear, uncertainty, and difficu...
05/18/2026

When their daughter, Sari, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Matt and Jill Kripke faced fear, uncertainty, and difficult decisions. A second opinion at Michigan Medicine changed everything, helping Sari recover without surgery and giving their family renewed hope.

Now, the Kripke family is giving back by supporting pediatric Crohn’s disease research led by Dr. Jeremy Adler, helping future patients and families access better care and groundbreaking treatments. “The reason we were able to get this treatment is because someone who didn’t know us or our daughter decided to support medical research,” Matt said. “We all have a tendency to want to help people who are close to us, but the greatest gift is to be able to help someone you don’t even know.”

Their story is a powerful reminder of how donor-funded research can transform lives and why investing in medical innovation matters.

At the University of Michigan, the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology’s Horizons Summer Resear...
05/15/2026

At the University of Michigan, the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology’s Horizons Summer Research Internship is opening doors for undergrads—providing hands-on lab experience, mentorship, and the financial support needed to pursue research without barriers. For many students it’s more than an internship, it’s a turning point that builds confidence, sparks curiosity, and reveals career paths they never imagined.

“My Horizons experience in undergrad laid the groundwork for my entire life.”—Ever O’Donnell

Catherine was able to make a difference thanks to the generosity of donors. She is now happy to do the same for others.
05/14/2026

Catherine was able to make a difference thanks to the generosity of donors. She is now happy to do the same for others.

A new scholarship at the University of Michigan Medical School is turning the memories of a generous wife and mother int...
05/13/2026

A new scholarship at the University of Michigan Medical School is turning the memories of a generous wife and mother into life-changing opportunities and helping future physicians pursue their dreams without the weight of financial barriers. Ken Levin (MD ’84) has established the Kimberly S. Levin Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of his wife and the mother of his children.

“She was extremely devoted to our children and handled most everything else in our lives which allowed me to focus on my patients and my medical career,” he said. “She had a profound impact. She never sought any recognition, but I think she would be proud to be remembered here at Michigan.”

As demand for AI and large-scale computing surges, so does its hidden cost: energy, infrastructure, and environmental im...
05/12/2026

As demand for AI and large-scale computing surges, so does its hidden cost: energy, infrastructure, and environmental impact.

At the University of Michigan, researchers are tackling this challenge head-on, developing smarter software, more efficient chips, and sustainable materials to reduce the massive energy footprint of modern computing. From cutting AI energy use by up to 50% to rethinking how semiconductors are designed and sourced, their work is shaping a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.

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