University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Overview

The University of Michigan, a public institution founded in 1817, started with humble, rustic roots. On its Ann Arbor campus, located west of Detroit, faculty once allowed cows to graze on university grounds, and in 1845, wheat was even grown on campus as part of a janitor’s pay. By 1866, the university had grown to be the largest in the United States. Today, the University of Michigan is recognized as one of the country’s leading research institutions. Notable alumni include former U.S. President Gerald Ford, Google co-founder Larry Page, and actor James Earl Jones, known as the voice of Darth Vader.

The university’s athletic legacy began in 1865, with its sports teams, known as the Michigan Wolverines, winning over 50 national titles across 12 sports. The origin of the wolverine as Michigan’s mascot remains unclear, as the nickname took hold in the mid-19th century, but the first confirmed sighting of a wolverine in Michigan didn’t occur until 2004.

The University of Michigan’s mission is to serve the state and the world through “preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.” The university offers 250 undergraduate majors, 100 doctoral programs, 200 master’s programs, and over 1,400 student organizations.