Annenberg Foundation gives $2M toward new Ford School

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy has received $2 million from the Annenberg Foundation toward the construction of Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, a new building that will house the Ford School.

In recognition of the foundation's support for the building, Weill Hall will house the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Auditorium, a 200-seat facility for classes and public lectures. Previously the foundation has given the Ford School
$2 million to endow the Walter H. Annenberg Professorship in Education Policy and an additional $500,000 toward the construction of the new building.

"It is wonderful to have the Annenberg name associated with the University of Michigan in such a meaningful way," President Mary Sue Coleman says. "The late Ambassador Annenberg was synonymous with advancing the needs of quality education. It is a fitting tribute to have his family foundation support a first-rate public policy school at a top-ranked public university."

"The Annenberg Foundation has been tremendously generous to the Ford School with its gifts to establish our first endowed professorship and toward the construction of our new building. I am very grateful for its leadership gifts," says Rebecca Blank, dean of the school. "Mrs. Annenberg and her late husband, Walter Annenberg, have been long-time friends of President and Mrs. Ford, and it is fitting to have their names so closely linked with the Ford School."

"Mrs. Ford and I sincerely appreciate the generous support the Annenberg Foundation has directed to the Ford School," President Gerald R. Ford says. "These gifts will forever have a significant impact on the life of the school. We are extremely grateful for their generosity."

The Annenberg Foundation, established in 1989, is the successor corporation to the Annenberg School at Radnor, Pa., founded in 1958 by Walter H. Annenberg. The foundation exists to advance the public well-being through improved communication and encourages the development of more effective ways to share ideas and knowledge.

The Ford School of Public Policy was established in 1914 as the Institute for Public Administration and was one of the first programs in the nation to train public managers. In ceremonies in 2000, it was named to honor President Ford, a U-M alumnus of the class of 1935, and since that time has grown significantly to include 40 faculty.

The school's curriculum emphasizes the value of social science techniques in understanding, developing, implementing and evaluating public policies. The school also brings many distinguished leaders to campus to participate in public lectures and conferences on public policy issues.

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