President Mark Schlissel announced Oct. 30 that U-M would anchor the Detroit Center for Innovation, a new development planned for downtown Detroit that is designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and further diversify the regional economy.
Here’s what others are saying about the center:
“The economic success of our state is tied to the success of Detroit. It’s our largest city and it plays an important role in Michigan’s economic well-being. This new Detroit Center for Innovation will benefit not just Detroit, and the region, but also the entire state of Michigan.”
Board of Regents Chair Ron Weiser, Ann Arbor
“The new Detroit Center for Innovation will help cement the university’s relationship with the city, and I’m excited to see the university continue to grow its presence in Detroit. The city of Detroit’s success is important not just to the state of Michigan, but to the University of Michigan as well.”
Regent Jordan B. Acker, Huntington Woods
“The center will strengthen the regional economy by attracting and developing talent, promoting innovation and supporting entrepreneurship in Detroit and the region. It’s an exciting opportunity for the University of Michigan to leverage its educational and research capacity in pursuit of something truly ground-breaking.”
Regent Michael J. Behm, Grand Blanc
“The University of Michigan was founded in Detroit more than two centuries ago and since that time has continued to work in partnership with the city and its schools, residents and community organizations. The Detroit Center for Innovation builds on that long history and signals our sustained commitment to the city of Detroit and its continued success.”
Regent Mark J. Bernstein, Ann Arbor
“Adapting to the technology of the future will be critical to the success of this city and this region. The Detroit Center for Innovation allows the University of Michigan to leverage its academic and research strengths to help ensure this critical need is met.”
Regent Paul W. Brown, Ann Arbor
I am excited to continue the University of Michigan commitment to improving educational opportunities in our state and expand experiential learning for our students. Our commitment to Detroit, where the University of Michigan began in 1817, will broaden in this collaboration, from the Rackham Center in the New Center area to our initiatives with Detroit public schools to our summer college internships to this announcement today of the Detroit Center for Innovation. The Detroit Innovation Center is an incredible example of the possibilities for job creation, technological advancements, cross disciplinary studies, retention of our graduating youth and recruitment of young people to Michigan. It’s an incredible example of how education is an economic driver — investing in education creates economic opportunities for everyone.
Regent Shauna Ryder Diggs, Grosse Pointe
“This is a monumental moment for Detroit and our great state, as the University of Michigan, Detroit-area businesses and public and private sectors come together to position our regional economy and workforce to lead in the emerging industries of the future. We are excited for Ross faculty to be a part of creating this transformative center for innovation with world-class research and academic programs that will produce a comprehensive and competitive talent pipeline for generations to come.”
Scott DeRue, dean of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business
“We plan to be enthusiastic participants in the new Detroit Center for Innovation. Our students spend hundreds of hours each year in Detroit working on civic projects as volunteers during their fall and spring breaks and as summer interns at several local businesses. We look forward to the numerous research and educational opportunities this new center will present for our faculty and students to contribute to the growth and development of Detroit.”
Thomas A. Finholt, dean of the School of Information
“As we move forward in the 21st century, I believe the Detroit Center for Innovation can play an important role in charting a path for southeast Michigan, Detroit and beyond. The creation of new information, mobility, security and infrastructure systems to tackle the emergence of mega-cities or renewing of older communities will be among the most challenging issues. The College of Engineering is committed to the economic development of this region, as well as to educating tomorrow’s intellectually curious and socially conscious engineers.”
Alec D. Gallimore, dean of the College of Engineering
“University of Michigan-Dearborn began as an experimental and innovative campus; 60 years later we are excited to be a valued partner in building a new exciting and entrepreneurial venture — the Detroit Center for Innovation. Our students and faculty are thrilled to be part of the transformative programs that will connect entrepreneurship, technology, research and innovation defining the careers of tomorrow.”
UM-Dearborn Chancellor Domenico Grasso
“We are excited about the potential of this new public-private partnership in Detroit. In the coming weeks, we will assemble an interdisciplinary committee of U-M faculty to explore academic opportunities at the center. We look forward to engaging with Detroit leadership, its business community and its key educational stakeholders in developing a shared vision for this important project.”
Provost Martin A. Philbert
“This is a transformative project in the history of our region, with impact beyond U-M and Detroit. The center promises to be a gravity well for talent and capital, producing exciting new startups with ties to local industry that have the potential to sustain a long-term engine of growth and investment.”
Dug Song, U-M alumnus and co-founder of Duo Security, now part of Cisco
“When Mythic first launched in collaboration with U-M, we were constantly on the lookout for talent, funding and connections to strategic partnerships. It is inspiring to see U-M further embrace this with the launch of the new collaborative initiative in Detroit. I am confident that these new efforts by U-M and key corporate and community partners working together in Detroit will result in attracting more entrepreneurial students, faculty, and growing the innovation ecosystem in southeast Michigan.”
