2023 Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day

Let’s connect as a community - one dedicated to the public good - to celebrate our #FordSpirit at the 13th annual Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day! 

Each July, Ford School alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends gather in the name of President Ford on or near his birthday (on July 14!) to socialize, network, and most importantly celebrate what binds us together - our collective Ford School experiences. 

Wherever you are in the world, you are invited to join in the fun on July 13. Here are some ways you can participate: 

• Attend an in-person gathering in Ann Arbor, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Petoskey, Toronto, or Washington, DC. RSVP by July 10. (Details below.) 
• Share your spirit with other Fordies from around the world on zoom. RSVP by July 10. (Details below.) 
• Wear your best Ford School and/or maize and blue gear. Make sure to wear it at an in-person gathering or over Zoom too! 
• Mark the occasion by posting photos of your celebration on social media using #fordspirit and tagging @FordSchool. 

In person gatherings are a great way to catch up with your fellow Fordies over drinks and appetizers and snag some Ford School swag! 

Ann Arbor
Weill Hall Courtyard, 735 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
4-6 p.m. EDT 
Alumni Hosts: Naomi Goldberg, MPP ‘08, Karena Holmstrom, BA ‘23, Ivy Tran, MPP/MA ‘18
Mix and mingle with alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Enjoy cool treats from the Kona Ice Truck, trivia, photos, and giveaways in the courtyard. Families are welcome!  

Chicago ** NEW LOCATION**

PB&J West Loop, 205 N Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60607
5-7 p.m. CST
Alumni Hosts: Kevin Finnegan, MPP/MBA ‘21, Kendall Hecker, BA ‘20, Gerson Ramirez, MPP ‘20

Detroit
Eastern Market Brewing Co., 2515 Riopelle St., Detroit, MI 48207
5-7 p.m. EDT
Alumni Hosts: Zeinab Alhashemi, BA '24Sam Geller, MPP ‘17, Clare Knutson, MPP '22, Janani Ramachandran Yates, MPP ‘13

Los Angeles
The Q Playa, 5921 Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045
5:30-9:30 p.m. PST 
Alumni Host: Menna Demessie, PhD '10

Petoskey
Sip - Bay Harbor, 4243 Main Street, Petoskey, MI 49770
4:30-6:30 p.m. EDT
Staff Host: Zuzana Wiseley, assistant program manager, Weiser Diplomacy Center, Ford School of Public Policy 

Toronto
Pogue Mahone Pub & Kitchen, 777 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5G 2C8
5:30-7:30 p.m. EDT
Alumni Host: Morteza Nazari, MPP ‘15

Washington, DC @Audi field, home of DC United
100 Potomac Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20024
4-5 p.m. EDT - Alumni conversation: “Policy Perspectives - Partnerships for Impact”
5:30-8 p.m. EDT - Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day 
Alumni Hosts:  Jason Levien, MPP/JD ‘99, CEO and Co-Chairman of D.C. United, Alli Berry, BA ‘19, John Guerriero, MPP ‘17, Rohan Dharan, BA '13, Cortney Sanders, MPP ‘17

Special guest: Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes

Meet our new dean, Celeste Watkins-Hayes. See yourself on the big screen, get your photo taken on the field, and enjoy snacks and beverages. Families are welcome! Special thanks to Jason Levien (MPP/JD '97), CEO and Co-Chairman of D.C. United for sponsoring the space and refreshments. 
 

Want to kick off your Spirit Day early? Join the Ford School’s Career Services team and current students for an alumni conversation, “Policy Perspectives - Partnerships for Impact.” 

4pm, Audi Field 

Moderator: Dean Celeste Watkins Hayes
Panelists: Jason Levien, CEO & Co-Chairman, DC United (MPP/JD '97)
Jordan Matsudaira, Chief Economist & Deputy Under Secretary, US Department of Education (PhD '05)

Listen to the talk at 4 p.m. and then continue to Spirit Day at 5:30 p.m. Can’t make it at 4 p.m. for the conversation? No problem! Register to join in the fun starting at 5:30 p.m.

Virtual
Zoom link to follow
5-6:30 p.m. EDT
Alumni Hosts: Jackson Voss, MPP/STPP ‘18
Can’t make one of the in-person events? Join us on zoom to share your #FordSpirit. Sport your maize and blue, bring a beverage, and catch-up with Fordies from all over the world. Come ready for President Ford trivia too! Future Fordies, Fordie partners, and/or Fordie pets are welcome!

RSVP now! 

Staff Expert

Elisabeth A. Johnston

Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Office of Development & Alumni Relations

• alumni
• Ford School Spirit Day