This university—dubbed a 'Public Ivy'—turns 200 years old this year | A low-key academic powerhouse, a high-profile activist

When students need a break from studying, they can relax by watching squirrels on campus. The University of Michigan (UMich) is an exceptionally squirrel-friendly campus—and even has its own 'Squirrel Club,' which encourages students to love and feed squirrels. Beyond squirrel-watching, autumn trips to northern Michigan for maple foliage and winter snow shoveling adventures are also joyful experiences. Yet all these activities pale in comparison to UMich’s most iconic event: football games. For UMich graduates, attending football games is often their most cherished memory. It is the university’s largest and most electrifying tradition. On game day, the entire city of Ann Arbor buzzes with energy. Alumni travel from across the country to attend—tickets are notoriously hard to come by. UMich boasts the largest stadium in the United States (and the second-largest in the world), seating over 100,000 spectators. Wearing yellow or blue and cheering for your school in such a colossal arena is undoubtedly unforgettable. Many Chinese students unfamiliar with American football become die-hard fans once they arrive in Ann Arbor—especially during fierce rivalry matches against Ohio State University and Michigan State University, when chants of “GO BLUE!” ring out across the stands. UMich History The University of Michigan was founded in Detroit in 1817, making it one of the earliest public universities in the United States. In fact, Michigan did not become a state until twenty years after the university’s founding. Though established in 1817, UMich endured considerable instability and nearly ceased to exist. Just five days after construction began on UMich’s first building, the land where it stood was officially designated as belonging to Native Americans. Due to land disputes, the university suspended operations entirely in 1827, and its sole existing building was leased to a private teacher. At that time, UMich hung by a thread. UMich’s First Building In 1837, the small town of Ann Arbor—having failed in its bid to become the state capital—donated 40 acres of land to the University of Michigan. Consequently, UMich relocated from Detroit to Ann Arbor. In 1841, the university welcomed its first class: six freshmen and one sophomore. Two professors taught these seven students. The inaugural commencement ceremony took place in 1845, graduating eleven male students. UMich Students Practicing Pole-Climbing in an Electrical Engineering Class, 1855 After relocating to Ann Arbor, UMich steadily expanded and flourished. Today, it comprises three campuses—Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint—covering a total area of 85 square kilometers (roughly equivalent to the size of Macau). The Harvard of the Midwest Although UMich operates three campuses, the Ann Arbor campus is by far the strongest and most prestigious. How exceptional is the Ann Arbor campus? In terms of infrastructure, it houses 37 libraries, 9 museums, 9 teaching hospitals, and 150 research centers, institutes, and laboratories. In rankings, it placed #27 overall in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report, with its business, engineering, law, and medical schools all ranked among the top 15 nationally.

University of Michigan Professor Wins Akron Section Award

Q: University of Michigan

Institutional Overview The University of Michigan (often abbreviated as U-M or simply 'Michigan') is a world-renowned institution located in the U.S. state of Michigan. Founded in 1817, it ranks among the oldest public universities in the United States and enjoys global prestige—earning it the nickname 'the Harvard of the Midwest.' U-M operates three campuses: the main Ann Arbor campus, and the Dearborn and Flint campuses. Ann Arbor—the flagship campus—is a quintessential college town renowned for its scenic beauty and situated just one hour away from Detroit, America’s famed Motor City. With approximately 40,000 students—including roughly 15,000 graduate students—the university draws learners from all 50 U.S. states and over 120 countries worldwide. Academic Achievements UMich alumni include one U.S. President, 22 Nobel laureates, 8 NASA astronauts, 18 Pulitzer Prize winners, 25 Rhodes Scholars, more than 30 university presidents, hundreds of prominent figures in arts and entertainment, thousands of celebrated athletes, and countless leaders across diverse professional fields. Rankings In the 2018 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges ranking, the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor ranked #28 overall and #4 among U.S. public universities. In the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it placed #21 globally; in the 2018 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), it ranked #24 worldwide.

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University of Michigan professor Tim Cernak won the 2026 Akron Section Award from the American Chemical Society for automated chemical synthesis and drug discovery research. He will present seminars in Akron in January 2027.

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University of Michigan Professor Wins Akron Section Award

University of Michigan Professor Wins Akron Section Award

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