University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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By Robert S. Gerber and the Future As measured by the speed of change, the future is always with us. Its leaders are the young men and women wise enough to learn from their mentors, to pursue their goals, to fulfill their dreams. If the method appears familar, it is no different, probably, from yours or mine, ten ... twenty . . . fifty . . . sixty years ago. Only the pace of change has quick- ened, the rate of discovery accelerated. Such is the character of progress as we approach the 21st century; what was in- vention yesterday is obsolesence today. . . . However we personally chart the pas- sage of time - - in years of our lives, growth of our children, advancements of science, the phases of art, the attainment of our goals somewhere at the base of our measure is the maturation of mind, spirit, and reason. And, somewhere at its root for me and more than 300,000 other alumni is the University of Michigan. - Robert E. Ncderlander, A.B. ' 55, J.D. ' 58; Mem- ber, Board of Regents, and Chairman, The Cam- paign for Michigan. The heritage of the University of Michi- gan is unique and unequaled by any other educational institution in the nation. From a modest one-building, six student, $100,000 beginning in 1817, Michigan has grown to over 46,000 students and has a general-fund budget of over 850 million dollars. As a public university, Michigan stands alone proudly as an uncom- mon university for the common man. It has been the yardstick against which all public universities have been measured. And rightly so: challenging economic ad- versity with growth, diversity, and spirit, Michigan continues to prosper and lead Opening Sr,

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f Photos by Scott L. Prakken A University of the Past 2 Opening Section

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R Base the nation in public research and educa- tion. Undoubtedly, Michigan ' s past is impor- tant. From scientific achievements such as the first EKG machine and the testing of the Salk polio vaccination, to social miles- tones such as being the first to award a law degree to a woman, the university ' s heri- tage is rich and enduring. In the late 19th century, the concept of a public research university was unknown in the United States until Presidents Tappan and Angell adopted it at Michigan. Since then, Michi- gan has been a pioneer, a trail-blazer, a pace-setter, producing a legacy of unprec- edented service and accomplishments. In recent years, these achievements have culminated in excellent rankings with respect to other educational institutions. Michigan placed fourth among national leaders in undergraduate education and third among colleges and universities on the basis of the quality of students, faculty, Faces Fresh, Exciting