'I'm profoundly grateful'

$6.5M already raised for Ford School expansion

By Yael Kohen

Daily Staff Reporter

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy has received $6.5 million in donations as it begins a period of major expansion including new faculty, new buildings, additional courses and efforts to attract more students.

The money was collected during the past four months from nine donors including former President Ford, after whom the school officially was renamed in a ceremony yesterday.

Two of the nine donations will establish professorships within the Ford School. The Annenberg Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. J. Ira Harris each donated $2 million, which is the minimum in order for a professorship to be established.

A $1.4 million donation by Citigroup accounted for the majority of the remaining funds.

"The dean is in conversation with Citigroup at the moment," University Vice President for Development Susan Feagin said.

Feagin said University administrators have made several suggestions as to how the donations may be spent.

The University still has some way to go to reach its long-term goal of $30 million, which has prompted officials to participate in "intense and active" levels of fundraising.

Fundraisers are hoping to gather money from Public Policy alum and those who wish to honor Ford.

Former Public Policy Dean Edward Gramlich, a member of the Federal Reserve Board, said the school has changed dramatically since Public Policy Dean Rebecca Blank took over last year.

"I think it's great. It'll get the school on the map," Gramlich said. "I think Becky Blank has taken things to a new level."

Gov. John Engler, who also visited campus yesterday, said that as the school grows he would like to see his office and the Ford School "have a relationship that's formulated and developed."

Former President Gerald Ford shakes University President Lee Bollinger's hand while Gov. John Engler, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and Provost Nancy Cantor look on yesterday at the School of Public Policy renaming ceremony in Hill Auditorium.