DATE: Friday,
EVENT: University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman will kick off the Michigan Difference, the largest fund-raising campaign in the University’s history, and announce the fund-raising goal, at an hour-long program for alumni, friends and donors. Also during the kickoff, schools and colleges from around the University will host more than 90 events May 12-15 to mark the official start of the campaign and showcase programs that will be supported by donor giving. The events are anticipated to draw 1,000 attendees.

Gifts received as the result of the campaign will support scholarships, endowed professorships, academic programs, facilities and other projects. The campaign goal will exceed the $1.4 billion raised during the last campaign, which concluded in 1997.

TIME: Noon-1 p.m.

PLACE: Rackham Auditorium, 915 East Washington, Ann Arbor

RSVP required: Reporters planning to attend the kick-off should
Nancy Connell, (734) 764-7260, nconnell@umich.edu

Laura Lessnau, (734) 647-1851, llessnau@umich.edu

nconnell@umich.edullessnau@umich.edu