Ten years ago today, we mourned the passing of Edward M. (Ned) Gramlich, a leader and friend of the Ford School and its predecessor, the Institute of Public Policy Studies, and a much-loved teacher and mentor to generations of aspiring public servants.
- Share personal reflections and memories here.
Ned joined the faculty of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan in 1976. He taught macroeconomic policy and benefit-cost analysis to several generations of Ford School students. Ned twice served as director of the Ford School's predecessor, the Institute of Public Policy Studies, and he was the school's first 'dean,' having led the transition to the School of Public Policy in 1995.
From 1997 to 2005, Ned served as a Governor of the Federal Reserve Board. From 1994-1996 he chaired the Quadrennial Advisory Council on Social Security. He was both deputy director and acting director of the Congressional Budget Office between 1986 and 1987.
“Working with Ned was always a joy,” says Ford School Dean Michael S. Barr, who, earlier in his career, worked with Gramlich in DC to bolster community development, advance fair lending policies, and take on abusive practices in the subprime mortgage market. “He was a wonderful human being—warm and gentle, and also incredibly rigorous, thought-provoking, and courageous.”
Here are links to some of the tributes and reflections from Ned’s colleagues, friends, and former students:
- “Ford School mourns loss of Ned Gramlich,” a Ford School tribute;
- “U-M remembers Edward Gramlich, former provost, first Ford School dean,” the University of Michigan news story;
- “Edward M. Gramlich: Board of Governors (1997-2005),” the Federal Reserve history; and
- “A tribute to Ned Gramlich.” the Urban Institute tribute video
Here are links to a few of the obituaries published by national media:
- “As chairman of the federal Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, he urged legislators to better protect consumers against predatory lenders and to toughen regulation of mortgage lenders and banks,” wrote The New York Times in “Edward Gramlich, 68, dies; Ex-governor of Fed.”
- “In June, Dr. Gramlich published “Subprime Mortgages: America’s Latest Boom and Bust” on a topic that he had warned about for years,” wrote the Washington Post in “Fed Governor Edward M. Gramlich.”
- “Although he was too sick to participate in much of the public debate that surrounded this summer’s subprime-driven credit crisis, his 108-page monograph became a bible for reporters and policymakers trying to figure out what had gone wrong,” wrote the LA Times in “Edward Gramlich, 68; former Federal Reserve governor.” Robert D. Reischauer, then president of the Urban Institute, said that Ned “asked the right questions, and he always asked how the solutions would affect the economy and people, especially the most vulnerable.”
Read more, view videos, and learn about events related to Ned and his remarkable legacy of service and leadership: http://fordschool.umich.edu/tags/ned-gramlich.
Established in 1997, the Edward M. and Ruth B. Gramlich Fund honors Ned’s legacy while supporting Ford School students who are preparing for careers in public service and policy.