UM Alumni News

by Laura Lessnau

February 11, 2010

President Barack Obama will deliver the 2010 commencement address on May 1 at Michigan Stadium.

President Barack Obama will deliver the spring 2010 commencement address at the University of Michigan, President Mary Sue Coleman announced today.

President Obama will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree.

Source: University of Michigan - Leaders & Best, Fall 2009 issue

A donor from half a world away has enriched an important cultural legacy on the Ann Arbor campus, while strengthening opportunities for future engagement between the U.S. and his homeland.

Dr. Amnuay and his wife, Samonsri: The Amnuay-Samonsri Viravan Endowment for
Thai Studies reflects the couple’s commitment to
education and to strengthening U.S.–Thai relations.

Through a $200,000 gift to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts for the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Dr. Amnuay Viravan (MBA ’54, AM ’57, PhD ’59, HLLD ’90), of Bangkok, Thailand, has launched the Amnuay-Samonsri Viravan Endowment for Thai Studies at the University of Michigan. Named for (MBA ’57), the endowment reflects their commitment to education and
to strengthening U.S. –Thai relations. It will fund scholarships for Thai language study, study-abroad programs and internships for American students, visits by Thai scholars to Michigan and Thai-related research by U-M faculty. The fund will further enhance U.S.– Thai relations in academic, business and
professional areas by supporting conferences, lectures and outreach activities.
The Viravan fund adds to more than $266,000 given by the Thai Embassy since 2007 in support of Thai Studies at CSEAS. Dr. Amnuay continues to work to obtain additional gifts from the Thai corporate community to help his named endowment reach its targeted $1 million goal. The fund’s total will also expand through matches from President Coleman’s donor challenge for gifts in support of global study opportunities. For more information visit www.giving.umich.edu/presidents-challenge.

Thailand’s former Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Amnuay has been a valued supporter of higher education in his country as well as a volunteer and generous donor on behalf of Michigan, including support for the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. As Michigan looks to expand its connections in Asia through alumni engagement and university research partnerships, Dr. Amnuay has been a pivotal contact, recently hosting a U-M delegation visiting his country. “He is the face of Michigan in Thailand,” said Linda Lim, CSEAS director. “He’s been an inspiration for Thai students looking to study at the U-M and a tremendous resource as we look to deepen our relationships in Asia.”

Learn more about the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at www.ii.umich.edu/cseas

Greetings UM Alumni in Thailand –
We are delighted to share with you images of the June 5, 2009 UM alumni celebration in Bangkok with special guests from both Thailand and the University of Michigan. The event celebrated new initiatives by the UM Alumni Association of Thailand to seek out and engage all Thai alumni, provided an opportunity to meet Thai and University leaders, and was deeply grateful for the surprise announcement by from Dr. Amnuay Viravan that he would contribute to the UM Thai Studies endowment previously established by the Thai Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

http://alumni.umich.edu/e-newsletters/eTrueBlue/e-TrueBlue022208.html