Elisabeth Johnston
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Office of Development & Alumni Relations
Weill Hall
735 S. State St. #4238
Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
Annual events
Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day
Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day brings alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends together to celebrate their Ford School spirit the Thursday before President Ford's birthday (July 14). Browse the photos from Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day activities from all over the world in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012, and watch recordings of the 2020 alumni conversation, "Black Lives Matter Movement: From Understanding to Action" and the 2021 panel discussion, "Leading through crisis."
2025 Ford School Spirit Day
Celebrating our globally connected community!
Wherever you are in the world this July 10th, let’s embrace the spirit of celebration, community, and connection! Here are some ways you can participate:
- Attend an in-person gathering in Ann Arbor, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Washington, DC. RSVP by July 8. (Details below.) Enjoy refreshments and snag Ford School swag too. Don’t see a gathering where you are located? Reach out to [email protected] to coordinate one in your city!
- Wear your best Ford School and/or maize and blue gear. Make sure to wear it at an in-person gathering!
- Mark the occasion by posting photos of your celebration on social media using #fordspirit and tagging @FordSchool.
- Bonus: Don’t forget to participate in the social media challenge when you post for Spirit Day! Complete 3 easy tasks for a chance to win a Ford School swag bag. Learn more here.
In person gatherings are a great way to catch up with your fellow Fordies over drinks and appetizers and snag some Ford School swag!
Register for a Spirit Day near you!
Homecoming
Homecoming weekend is a special time in Ann Arbor. See how we celebrated in 2024 with a Reunion, filled programs and activities to commemorate our Ford50 year.
Secure your spot in the Big House for the Homecoming game on Saturday, October 4 when the Wolverines will take on the University of Wisconsin Badgers. Purchase tickets in a section just for Ford School alums by July 1.
More details coming soon regarding the Ford School’s plans for Homecoming weekend, October 3-4, 2025!
Policy event and networking reception in DC
Each winter, the Ford School travels with its students to Washington, DC, so students can attend a series of alumni and employer panels to learn more about policy-relevant careers in our nation's capital. As part of the trip, a student-alumni networking reception is held in the evening for alumni in the DC area to hear from a Ford School faculty member or other invited guest, and to network with current students and each other.
This year's annual Ford School event in Washington, DC featured an engaging policy talk with renowned public management scholar Don Moynihan on the topic of "The administrative state under new leadership" and a networking reception with alumni and students - a highlight for attendees! Check out the photos from the 2025 event.
To be involved in the DC trip as a panelist or table host, contact Elisabeth Johnston at [email protected].
Additional events
Ford School reunion
Every five years, the Ford School hosts an all-school reunion for alumni to gather at Weill Hall to reconnect with each other and re-engage with the life of the school. View photos from the most recent reunion, which took place September 13-14, 2024. Alumni, students, and faculty joined to (re)connect and celebrate Gerald R. Ford as part of our Ford50 year. Attendees were able to view the works of 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 took place as well.
The Centennial Reunion
The Ford School celebrated 100 years of policy impact, October 31-November 1, 2014 with a commemorative Policy Talks lecture with Steven Levitt, Open House, Deans' Panel, and tailgate and football game at the Big House. Alumni, faculty, staff, and Ford School friends enjoyed two memorable days, which served as the culmination of the Ford School's centennial year celebration. Learn more about the centennial celebrations.
Alumni reception at the APPAM conference
The Ford School hosts an alumni reception at the APPAM conference when it is held in Washington, DC. In fall 2024, Ford School alumni reconnected with their fellow Fordies and fabulous Ford School faculty at the reception. Check out the photos from the 2024 reception!