U-M Heritage

  1. October 17, 2022 Every alumnus carries a cherished memory of Michigan — then returns in 20 years and realizes that “my Michigan” is hard to find among the new construction of someone else’s Michigan. Those old Michigans – the Cat Hole, the Boulevard, Sleepy Hollow, and more – make up what we might call the Lost Campus.

    Lost campus

    Every alumnus carries a cherished memory of Michigan — then returns in 20 years and realizes that “my Michigan” is hard to find among the new construction of someone else’s Michigan. Those old Michigans – the Cat Hole, the Boulevard, Sleepy Hollow, and more – make up what we might call the Lost Campus.

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  2. October 10, 2022 In the summer of 1936, a procession of scholars — including a junior professor from U-M — crossed the main plaza of the University of Heidelberg to celebrate the 550th anniversary of one of the great universities of Europe. His involvement in a Nazi-orchestrated event was the culmination of an intense debate in Ann Arbor.

    In the face of fascists

    In the summer of 1936, a procession of scholars — including a junior professor from U-M — crossed the main plaza of the University of Heidelberg to celebrate the 550th anniversary of one of the great universities of Europe. His involvement in a Nazi-orchestrated event was the culmination of an intense debate in Ann Arbor.

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  3. October 3, 2022 The Great Depression tore a hole in the University of Michigan, and students who went to college in the 1930s lived in a realm of scarcity and fear. Edmund Love’s memoir "Hanging On: Or How to Live Through a Depression and Enjoy Life" gives us a glimpse of what truly “hard times” were like.

    Depression generation

    The Great Depression tore a hole in the University of Michigan, and students who went to college in the 1930s lived in a realm of scarcity and fear. Edmund Love’s memoir “Hanging On: Or How to Live Through a Depression and Enjoy Life” gives us a glimpse of what truly “hard times” were like.

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  4. September 26, 2022 Their names are nowhere on the U-M campus. Unlike professors who taught them, there is no monument, no dormitory wing, no conference room that pays homage to their tenure or contributions. But in 1841, they did what no other young person had ventured to do in Ann Arbor. These six young, white males enrolled.

    The first freshmen

    Their names are nowhere on the U-M campus. Unlike professors who taught them, there is no monument, no dormitory wing, no conference room that pays homage to their tenure or contributions. But in 1841, they did what no other young person had ventured to do in Ann Arbor. These six young, white males enrolled.

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  5. September 19, 2022 One day in June long ago, two lawyers and a politician were given the job of recommending exactly where to build the campus of the new University of Michigan. They had two sites to look at, both of about 40 acres. One offered a fine view of the Huron River, the other was a flat farm field half a mile back from the river.

    A different Diag

    One day in June long ago, two lawyers and a politician were given the job of recommending exactly where to build the campus of the new University of Michigan. They had two sites to look at, both of about 40 acres. One offered a fine view of the Huron River, the other was a flat farm field half a mile back from the river.

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  6. September 12, 2022 For more than a century, the university was every student’s mother and father. By law and by custom, the school operated in loco parentis – “in place of parents.” Its mission was to nurture their character, which in practice meant policing their conduct. Then, in a few weeks around Christmas 1967, everything changed.

    End of ‘Hours’

    For more than a century, the university was every student’s mother and father. By law and by custom, the school operated in loco parentis – “in place of parents.” Its mission was to nurture their character, which in practice meant policing their conduct. Then, in a few weeks around Christmas 1967, everything changed.

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  7. September 6, 2022 It was 1852. The University of Michigan needed a leader, a true president, or it might fall apart for good. A man in New York was recommended, a philosopher and clergyman, Henry Philip Tappan. Tappan had no interest in presiding over a training school for ministers and schoolteachers. His idea was larger.

    ‘A Creation of My Own’

    It was 1852. The University of Michigan needed a leader, a true president, or it might fall apart for good. A man in New York was recommended, a philosopher and clergyman, Henry Philip Tappan. Tappan had no interest in presiding over a training school for ministers and schoolteachers. His idea was larger.

    Read a summary of this story
  8. August 29, 2022 As today’s U-M students settle into residence halls and apartment buildings, they occupy the homes of former students who have gone on to change the world with their words, ideas and actions. West Quad can count among its alumni a governor of Michigan, a Hall of Fame shortstop, and the iconic voice of Darth Vader.

    Madonna slept here

    As today’s U-M students settle into residence halls and apartment buildings, they occupy the homes of former students who have gone on to change the world with their words, ideas and actions. West Quad can count among its alumni a governor of Michigan, a Hall of Fame shortstop, and the iconic voice of Darth Vader.

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  9. August 15, 2022 Before outfoxing the Nazis, risking his life, and saving 100,000 Jews from the hell of World War II death camps, before living on the run and being the target of assassins and becoming the only person other than Winston Churchill to be made an honorary U.S. citizen, Raoul Wallenberg was a U-M student.

    Wallenberg at Michigan

    Before outfoxing the Nazis, risking his life, and saving 100,000 Jews from the hell of World War II death camps, before living on the run and being the target of assassins and before becoming the only person other than Winston Churchill to be made an honorary U.S. citizen, Raoul Wallenberg was a U-M student.

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  10. July 25, 2022 From the late 1800s through World War II, university students and the people of Ann Arbor liked to walk through a deep, green ravine that led from the heights near Forest Hill Cemetery down to the Huron River. Schoolgirls’ Glen featured greenery and wildflowers that attracted birds and inspired poetry.

    The vanishing of Schoolgirls’ Glen

    From the late 1800s through World War II, university students and the people of Ann Arbor liked to walk through a deep, green ravine that led from the heights near Forest Hill Cemetery down to the Huron River. Schoolgirls’ Glen featured greenery and wildflowers that attracted birds and inspired poetry.

    Read a summary of this story