Funding expands opportunities to maximize experiential learning and community impact
ANN ARBOR – A new $1 million endowed gift from philanthropists William and Inger Ginsberg encourages students to actively engage with their communities through service and education. The endowment establishes the William B. Ginsberg and Inger G. Ginsberg Graduate Student Assistant Fund at the University of Michigan’s Edward Ginsberg Center, providing need-based aid for graduate students enrolled in any academic unit and supporting faculty and community-engaged scholarship.
“The loyal support from Bill and Inger has made it possible for the University of Michigan to continue its longstanding tradition of serving the public good,” said Dr. E. Royster Harper, vice president for Student Life. “This gift expands our ability to integrate public engagement and scholarship across campus, instilling a lifelong practice of service to the community.”
This gift aligns squarely with the Ginsberg Center’s mission to maximize student learning and community impact. It will expand the Center’s ability to support experiential learning opportunities and community-based research into coursework in any field. Graduate students at the Ginsberg Center will partner with faculty to connect with community organizations; prepare students for community engagement; design community-engaged courses, projects and programs; and assess their effectiveness.
“We’re so grateful for Bill and Inger’s gift to the Ginsberg Center. This gift helps us continue to develop future leaders that are dedicated to positive community impact. The Ginsbergs’ generosity makes it possible for graduate students working with the Center to apply the knowledge and skills gained during coursework and research to improve their communities, while supporting faculty to do the same,” said Mary Jo Callan, director of the Ginsberg Center.
“Since its establishment 20 years ago, the Ginsberg Center has been a vital resource for tens of thousands of students. Our gift both acknowledges its significant contribution to the University of Michigan thus far and, looking forward, increases the Center's capacity for activities that will continue to reflect the spirit and ideals of Edward Ginsberg,” said Bill Ginsberg.
The Edward Ginsberg Center
Founded in 1997, the Edward Ginsberg Center, in the Division of Student Life, cultivates and stewards mutually beneficial partnerships between communities and the University of Michigan in order to advance social change for the public good. In 1999, William, Inger and other Ginsberg family members provided a $5 million endowment and named the center after William’s father, Edward Ginsberg, a U-M alum, former lawyer and devoted community servant. It has since cultivated a national reputation for preeminence in community engagement, involving students and faculty in its efforts. The Ginsberg Center empowers people to be catalysts for positive change through social justice education; scholarships and grants to student organizations and faculty; alternative breaks; and a multitude of educational partnerships.
The Ginsberg Center also helps faculty members incorporate civic engagement into research and teaching, providing consultation, funding, learning communities, seminars and the Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, the leading scholarly journal in the field of engaged scholarship.
About the Ginsbergs
Philanthropists and loyal supporters of the university, William and Inger Ginsberg have been widely involved at U-M for decades. They have generously given more than $6.1 million to U-M in support of five areas of the university: the Division of Student Life; the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; the School of Music, Theatre & Dance; the William L. Clements Library; and the Rackham Graduate School.
Their passion for service-oriented education and community involvement motivated their gift to establish the Rosalie Ginsberg Scholarship for Community Service and Social Action in honor of Bill’s mother, providing need-based support for U-M juniors and seniors who share the Ginsbergs’ love for service and learning.
At the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, they created the Inger G. & William B. Ginsberg Scholarship Fund in Math, providing need-based support for undergraduate students majoring in mathematics. The Ginsbergs have also supported faculty and various productions at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
About the Victors for Michigan Campaign
The Victors for Michigan Campaign kicked off in 2013. Campaign goals focus on raising resources for student support, engaged learning and bold ideas. For more information about the campaign, visit the Leaders and Best website.
CONTACT: Pam Stout