President Mark Schlissel told a Washington, D.C., audience Wednesday that his priorities in the coming years include academic excellence, diversity and encouraging the faculty to engage with the public to promote the University of Michigan’s mission and research.

Speaking at the annual University of Michigan Congressional Breakfast, Schlissel said his major focus will be positioning the university for “perpetual excellence and public impact” in research, creative work, performance and education.

“There simply is no university better suited to advance the highest ideals of what a public research university should be,” said Schlissel. “We have the breadth and depth of experience, a steady stream of talented students, and a world-class health system.”

Schlissel also spoke about the drinking water crisis in Flint, saying that the UM-Flint campus has responded strongly to the crisis, as have the other U-M campuses.

“Flint matters to us very deeply,” he added.

Keynote speaker and U-M alumnus Rep. Tom Price, R-Georgia, discussed his seven years at U-M as both an undergrad and medical student, saying he has many fond thoughts about his alma mater. After completing his degrees in Michigan, Price became an orthopedic surgeon at Emory University in Atlanta before running for office.

“Attending the university changed my life in a fundamental way,” Price said.  “Having a Michigan degree makes all of us feel comfortable going out and tackling the world.”

Other members of Congress in attendance included Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, and Reps. Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls; Mike Bishop, R-Rochester; Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn; Dan Kildee, D-Flint; Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield; John Moolenaar, R-Midland; Dave Trott, R-Birmingham; and Ted Deutch, D-Florida.

More than 300 alumni, congressional staffers, and Michigan corporate sponsors attended the event, the proceeds from which annually help fund the University of Michigan Club of Greater Washington’s scholarship efforts.

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