ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman and her husband, Kenneth Coleman, are donating to a new fundraising challenge aimed at helping more U-M students study abroad.

The $25,000 gift, a combination of their own funds and her salary increase this year, represents yet another commitment by the president to improve the programs and opportunities for students, faculty and staff at the University.

In 2003, the Colemans pledged a gift of $500,000 to the Michigan Difference Campaign to support the Life Sciences Institute, the Institute for Social Research, Trotter House renovation fund, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies and other initiatives. In 2007, she donated more than $15,000?her salary increase for that year–to help boost financial aid for graduate and professional students.

“Living and learning in a different culture is an invaluable experience that prepares students for the global economy,” Coleman said. “I want to encourage students to visit other countries, particularly developing nations, and challenge themselves in their new surroundings. Increased financial support will make that possible.”

The donation launches a new donor challenge to encourage endowment gifts supporting study abroad. The President’s Office will provide $5 million from the president’s discretionary funds to encourage $10 million in gifts–$1 match for each $2 gift–for a total of $15 million for the program. More details about the challenge will be released early next year.

“Mary Sue and Ken Coleman have been very generous donors to the University,” said Jerry May, vice president for development. “This latest gift is yet another example of their stepping forward to support priorities which greatly enrich the educational experience for our students.”

The study-abroad experience helps students become more comfortable working and living in settings in which they must adapt to differing values, traditions, assumptions, attitudes and