The Regents of the University of Michigan commend and express
their gratitude to President Lee C. Bollinger for his inspiring
leadership, which has engaged both faculty and students and has
brought the University to a position of enviable strength and
vitality.

President Bollinger, who served as the University's twelfth
president from 1997 to 2001, has sharpened Michigan's academic
focus and worked to improve the educational experience for all
students, particularly undergraduates. The ambitious Life Sciences
Initiative, launched early in his presidency, is expanding research
opportunities for students and positioning Michigan to contribute
in significant ways to this extraordinary scientific revolution.
President Bollinger, architect of the University's legal defense of
its admissions policies, has led the national debate regarding the
role of affirmative action in higher education.

His efforts to promote the role of public universities in the arts and
humanities have generated exciting new partnerships, most notably
Michigan's collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company,
and plans for the Walgreen Drama Center and the Arthur Miller
Theatre. The Regents also gratefully acknowledge many other
milestones during his presidency, including a new campus master
plan, renewed interest in the University's history, extraordinary
growth in research funding, increased voluntary financial support,
establishment of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and
four national intercollegiate athletic championships.

With appreciation and admiration, the Regents congratulate and
extend best wishes to Lee C. Bollinger in his new role as president
of Columbia University.

A standing ovation followed. President Bollinger noted that there
had been ample opportunities already for him to thank his wife,
Jean, the executive officers, the people who work in central
administration, the Regents, faculty, staff, and students. So he
chose not to diminish his previous comments, and to just say
"Thank you."