A. Alfred Taubman becomes U-M’s largest individual donor with latest gift to Taubman Institute
Ann Arbor, Mich. – A. Alfred Taubman, whose financial gifts to the University of Michigan totaling $142 million, has donated more money to the university than any other single individual.
With a gift of $56 million in April to the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute, Mr. Taubman’s support of medical science at U-M stands at $100 million. Past gifts have benefitted the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the Medical School, the College of Literature, Science, and Arts and the recent world-class renovation of the U-M Art Museum.
In recognition of Taubman’s tremendous support, the Regents approved re-naming the Biomedical Science Research Building on the U-M medical campus as the A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building. New signs will be dedicated during the institute’s annual symposium on Oct. 14 at a ceremony attended by university executives, donors and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.
“This is one of the most transformative days in the life of the University,” noted U-M President Mary Sue Coleman at the time of Taubman’s latest contribution. “Alfred Taubman instinctively sees how this level of investment can make huge advances in science and research. As a scientist, I particularly appreciate the freedom his philanthropy will provide researchers as they push the boundaries of medical science.”
Taubman, whose lifetime of philanthropy often has focused on health care and medical research, said the funding of the Taubman Institute is among his proudest achievements.
“I’m making the largest commitment I’ve ever made to any institution, but more importantly I’ve never been as excited about a donation’s potential to have an impact on the lives and well-being of people in this nation and around the world,” said Taubman.
“It is my family’s honor to be a part of the U-M family and to contribute to the work of so many brilliant people. Our goal is to create a legacy of excellence in medical research at the University of Michigan.”
Summary: A. Alfred Taubman’s major gifts to the University of Michigan and the U- M Health System
- $100 million to endow the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute at the University of Michigan Medical School
- $30 million for the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, to create an endowment that supports student scholarships and faculty appointments. The college was named in his honor.
- $4 million toward the $35.4 million expansion and restoration of the U-M Museum of Art. The museum’s striking new space for temporary exhibits is called the Taubman Galleries.
- $3 million, given in the early 1980s, toward the building of University Hospital and the A. Alfred Taubman Health Care Center for outpatient care.
- Other gifts to the university have supported the Taubman Medical Library, the Alfred Taubman Scholarship in the Office of Financial Aid, and the Taubman Program in American Institutions in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
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Taubman Emerging Scholars Program
Request for applications
Applications are being accepted for the Taubman Institute Emerging Scholars Program.
The applicant must be a junior member of the faculty at the University of Michigan; generally, that means holding an assistant professor title. The applicant must have either an M.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. It is required that candidates both conduct basic research and treat patients.
Applicants should submit a two-to-three page research proposal, as well as a current CV. Priority will be given to proposals involving translational research. Please submit material to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The deadline is May 7, 2012.
Young Friends host festive NYC fundraiser
Reception introduced scholar candidate Dr. Parag Patil
About 125 supporters of cutting-edge medical research mixed socializing and science May 9 at a cocktail party in Manhattan hosted by the Young Friends of the Taubman Institute's New York City chapter.
The event introduced Dr. Parag Patil, a University of Michigan physician-researcher and a prospective Young Friends Emerging Scholar. Here's a clip from Dr. Patil's appearance on the TV program "The Doctors," where he demonstrates how deep-brain stimulation has helped a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Emerging Scholars are early-career clinician-scientists who show great promise in research aimed at new cures or treatments; through the Taubman Institute, donors support them with three-year grants while their labs earn the credentials to win broader funding support.
The Young Friends event, which raised a significant contribution toward the Emerging Scholars program, was held at the ABC Carpet & Home showrooms at 888 Broadway, Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction and a presentation by Dr. Patil. The silent auction included jewelry, fashion items, a Botox consultation and treatment, Morgan Hotel Group rooms and the opportunity to bid on a meeting and photo with former President William Jefferson Clinton.
Taubman Research
Dr. Max Wicha: Some treatments actually increase cancer stem cells
Avastin and Sutent have been found to increase the growth of breast cancer stem cells in mice, according to Taubman Scholar Dr. Max Wicha, director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.
