Regent Emerita Veronica Latta Smith, died peacefully at her Grosse Ile, Michigan, home Nov. 13. She was 97. In 1984, she was elected to the Board of Regents, and was known as the “Students’ Regent.”

William R. Solomon, professor emeritus of internal medicine, died peacefully the morning of Nov. 6. He combined his love of botany and science by specializing in internal medicine at U-M until he retired in 2012.

Short news items from around the University of Michigan.

U-M economists predict a mild U.S. recession is likely in store to whip inflation, though there’s hope the strength of the automotive sector will shield Michigan from the worst effects of that potential downturn.

U-M continues to be ranked among the top higher education institutions in the world, according to the 2022 Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings released Nov. 16.

At his first Leadership Welcome, President Santa J. Ono shared details about the strategic vision that will define his first few years as U-M president, and outlined a variety of new initiatives.

• New practices align U-M finances with institutional values
• New universitywide strategy will amplify research, scholarship
• Five-year program will give staff development a $1M boost
• U-M, Delta partner on sustainable aviation fuel project

U-M is partnering with Delta Air Lines to help spur the availability and widespread adoption of sustainable aviation fuel and reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions resulting from university-sponsored travel.

U-M will launch a new strategy to accelerate and amplify research and scholarship activity across disciplines so teams are positioned to rapidly address and solve critical challenges affecting communities worldwide.

An enhanced commitment to U-M staff promises to provide up to $1 million for professional and team development over five years.

Provost Laurie K. McCauley has named a 14-member advisory committee to assist in the search for the next dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.