U-M President Mary Sue Coleman was honored in March by the International Economic Development Council for her leadership on economic development issues. Coleman was praised for her work for helping create Ann Arbor SPARK, a partnership between U-M and the Ann Arbor community focused on economic development. With the university as primary supporter, Ann Arbor SPARK has helped contribute to $1.4 billion in new investments in the region, created nearly 12,000 jobs and assisted over 400 innovative startup companies.
“The University of Michigan’s mission has always been teaching, research and service. I firmly believe our new, fourth obligation is economic development,” said Coleman.
