ANN ARBOR—Chicago-based philanthropist Ann Lurie has pledged $25 million to the University of Michigan College of Engineering, the largest gift ever received by the college.

“I make this gift for the continued advancement of interdisciplinary research, which is necessary for the future of a superb public university,” Lurie said. “I also wish to encourage like-minded individuals to determine and act upon their own significant reasons for investing in the University of Michigan.”

This gift will help support new programs in biomedical engineering and integrated microsystems. Drawing on the college’s historic and internationally recognized strengths, these programs offer tremendous opportunities to improve the quality of life. Research in the College of Engineering and School of Dentistry recently demonstrated how polymers could be used to encourage new blood vessel growth in specific areas of the body. This breakthrough is likely to lead to improved treatments for coronary artery disease, speeding the healing of wounds and helping diabetic patients who suffer from peripheral vascular disease.

Similarly, the college is developing tiny microsystems composed of electrical and mechanical devices that could be used in cochlear implants to restore hearing to the deaf and miniature environmental sensors that can warn people of nearby toxins.

“Ann Lurie’s philanthropy and grace has touched the College of Engineering in especially meaningful ways,” said Stephen W. Director, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering. “First for engendering a sense of community through the Lurie Engineering Center and Tower, and now for providing confidence through this flexible commitment, helping us meet our aspirations for biomedical engineering and integrated microsystems.” According to Interim University President B. Joseph White, this gift is one of the most significant ever received by the University and a bold endorsement of the College of Engineering.

“Michigan is extremely fortunate to have dedicated supporters such as Ann Lurie in our community,” White said. “We’re particularly grateful that Ann is willing to make this commitment now and speak to the importance of moving forward with critical research in science and engineering.” With this gift, Lurie has given $37 million to the College of Engineering and a combined total of $45 million to the University of Michigan. She is the widow of Robert H. Lurie, a Michigan Engineering alumnus and entrepreneur. Bob Lurie and fellow alum Sam Zell became friends and business partners in the early 1960s while attending U-M. Their first ventures, an apartment management service and acquiring properties in southeastern Michigan, led to the pair eventually building the largest apartment and commercial real estate holdings in the country.

“Ann’s generosity contributes directly to the vitality of the college and the courses of knowledge we pursue,” Director said. “With some of the most meaningful advances of this century expected to occur in biomedical engineering and integrated microsystems, we are now better prepared to exploit these technologies for the benefit of humankind.” The University of Michigan College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the world. The college is composed of 11 academic departments: aerospace engineering; atmospheric, oceanic and space sciences; biomedical engineering; chemical engineering; civil and environmental engineering; electrical engineering and computer science; industrial and operations engineering; materials science and engineering; mechanical engineering; naval architecture and marine engineering; and nuclear engineering and radiological sciences.

Each year the college enrolls more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and grants about 1,000 undergraduate degrees and 600 masters and doctoral degrees. To learn more, visit www.engin.umich.edu.

EDITORS: A downloadable 300dpi image of Ann Lurie is available at: http://www.umich.edu/~newsinfo/Releases/2002/Jul02/lurie_ann_1.jpg

Related Links:

• College of Engineering
• School of Dentistry
• Stephen W. Director