2024 Ford School Alumni Reunion | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Alumni Reunion 2024

Every five years the Ford School hosts an all-classes reunion during U-M’s Homecoming weekend. Get ready for a weekend full of Ford School fun and football!
Register to attend!

Please join us September 13-14 in Ann Arbor

Attendees will have the opportunity to (re) connect with other alumni, students, and faculty, view works by political cartoonist Pat Oliphant, and attend a panel discussion about the Nixon pardon with John Dean, Barbara McQuade, and Jill Wine-Banks. Informal class gatherings and opportunities to meet with past and current student organization leaders will take place too. Review the full agenda below!

  • Aerial of U-M central campus including Weill Hall

    Room blocks are available at several Ann Arbor hotels for your stay during the Reunion weekend. Check out a listing, including the reservation deadlines. Also, a full listing of suggested accommodations in Ann Arbor is available, too. (Note: Ford School room blocks are not available at all of the accommodations on this listing.)

    Exterior with Weill Hall sign

    Limited metered parking is available on Oakland and Monroe Streets. Also, parking, for a cost, is available at U-M campus visitor lots and Ann Arbor public lots. U-M campus visitor structure W13, Student Activities Building (400 Thompson Street) and public Forest Street Structure are the closest to Weill Hall. 

    Gerald R. Ford

    2024 Alumni Territory Homecoming Tailgate at the U-M Golf Course
     

    Before Michigan takes on Arkansas State on Saturday, Sept. 14, join us for the Alumni Territory Homecoming Tailgate from 9-11:30 a.m. ET. This year’s event will take place at the University of Michigan Golf Course and feature an array of delicious tailgate-themed food, such as BBQ chicken, hot dogs, veggie hot dogs, black bean and corn salsa with housemade chips, and assorted desserts and beverages.

    Connect with your fellow Michigan alums and enjoy appearances by special guests, giveaways for Alumni Association members, music and dancing, and an exclusive performance by members of the Michigan Marching Band. There will also be tailgate games and activities.

    Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes and Yasmine Elkharssa

    Make a gift! This year the Ford School Reunion falls very close to the 50th anniversary of Gerald Ford becoming president of the United States. Please consider making a special gift this year honoring his legacy of integrity and public service, and to help support  Ford School a students and faculty pursuing these same ideals. 

Monday, September 9-14, 2024

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library is presenting a wide-ranging exhibition looking at the Ford Presidency through the lens of editorial cartoons of Pat Oliphant. 

Friday, September 13, 2024

2 - 3:30 p.m.  | Reunion check-in and Open House - Becky Blank Great Hall (Weill Hall)

Grab a Washtenaw Dairy donut and stroll through the Becky Blank Great Hall, take in Pat Oliphant's political cartoon exhibit, and learn about the current programs and initiatives at the Ford School. Take a tour of Weill Hall and meet current students. Stop in to see a former professor or two or meet some new scholars. Shop Ford School merchandise at the Spirit Store!

Open House featured programs and initiatives:

Catch up with faculty during the Reunion! Check back as more will be added leading up to the Reunion.

  • John Chamberlin
  • Beth Chimera
  • Paul Courant
  • Jonathan Hanson
  • Catie Hausman
  • Brian Jacob
  • Stephanie Leiser
  • Ann Lin
  • Katherine Michelmore
  • Jeff Morenoff
  • Susan Page
  • Natasha Pilkauskas
  • Kaitlin Raimi
  • Alex Ralph
  • Joy Rohde
  • Daniel Shields
  • Fabiana Silva
  • Kevin Stange
Celeste Watkins-Hayes
3:30 - 4 p.m.  | State of the School and Staebler Award Recognition - Annenberg Auditorium (Weill Hall)

Meet and hear from Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes about her priorities for the coming year. We will also celebrate and honor the Ford School's 2024 Staebler Award winner, Jim McIntire (MPP '78). 
 

Gerald R. Ford at the Nixon hearing
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | An assessment of the Nixon pardon event and Reception - Annenberg Auditorium, Becky Blank Great Hall, and Stern Plaza (Weill Hall)

After being vilified, and then lionized as a great act of patriotism, in this era of seeming impunity, what is the significance of that unique, historical pardon?

University of Michigan law professor and former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, John Dean (virtually), and other speakers will discuss its significance. Reception to follow. 
 

Global Fordies in 2023
6:30 p.m. | Alumni and student organization social gathering - Union Rec, 545 S. Main Street

Find your people! Were you a member of one of the Ford School's active student organizations?

Current members of Students of Color in Public Policy (SCPP), Out in Public, and others are excited to meet with alumni over a social hour. Gather with your former and current members to network and socialize over drinks and snacks. 

Saturday, September 14, 2024

12 p.m. | Michigan vs. Arkansas State Football Game - Michigan Stadium

Cheer on the national champions as they take on the Red Wolves of Arkansas State at the Big House.

7th annual Ford School Policy Pitch Competition

Arriving in Ann Arbor on Thursday, September 12 ahead of the Reunion? Join us at the 7th annual Ford School Policy Pitch Competition. This is an opportunity to hear students deliver three minute pitches about their summer internships and compete for prizes too.
Learn more and register!

Need football tickets?

Watch the game with your fellow Fordies (in Section 13, rows 6-12). Use promo code: FORDHOMECOMING

Purchase up to 2 tickets per alum for $70 each (with a $10 service fee). Tickets will be emailed about three weeks before the game.
The deadline to purchase tickets in the Ford School section was August 16. Visi…