Stephen M. Ross Academic Center
SIZE: 38,000 square feet
CONSTRUCTED: 2006
Completed in winter 2006, this $12 million, 38,000-square-foot building provides academic study space for more than 700 U-M student-athletes. Located adjacent to the Marie Hartwig Building on South State Street between Yost Ice Arena and Weidenbach Hall, the three-floor facility includes a wide variety of spaces: individual and group study areas, computer labs, tutorial meeting rooms, a large meeting room, assembly areas for group projects, and offices for instructional support staff. A video-conference-capable meeting room was added in 2024.
Ross, a New York City real estate developer and U-M alumnus, provided the lead gift of $5 million to build the academic center. The project was funded entirely through private support, including gifts, departmental resources, and investment proceeds. In total, about 20 individuals and groups contributed.
"Naming the new academic center in honor of Stephen Ross is a fitting tribute to a man who continues to amaze the University of Michigan community with his incredible legacy of giving," said U-M President Mary Sue Coleman. "His extraordinary generosity will benefit all of our students, but especially our student-athletes, by providing them the resources and facilities to help them excel in the classroom just as they do in sports."
Ross followed his donation for the academic center with a $100 million gift to the U-M business school--the largest gift ever to a U.S. business school and the largest in U-M’s history--in September 2004. He also serves as co-chair of The Michigan Difference campaign, a $2.5 billion fundraising initiative for the university.
"The University of Michigan is not only a world-class academic institution, but it also has a premier sports program that serves hundreds of student-athletes," said Ross. "The program is successful not only because of the skills and dedication of the student-athletes, but also because of the high standards expected of them--and all U-M students--in the classroom.
"I am very pleased to help provide a top-notch learning environment in a new facility where these student-athletes and others can study and receive academic support. After all, the 'leaders and best' not only refers to the athletes on the sports field, but also to the students in the classroom."
The Academic Center also received more than 40 contributions of $10,000 or more. The Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation of Midland, Mich., made the building’s first gift with a $2 million donation. That support was followed by a $1 million contribution from honorary campaign co-chairs Donald C. (BSEIE '55, MSE '56) and Ingrid A. (BSDES '57) Graham of York, Pa. Penny (BSDES '66) and E. Roe Stamps of Miami, Fla., campaign co-chairs, committed $500,000 to name the Student Commons. Joseph D. (BBA '67, MBA '68) and Judy Williamson II of Salinas, Calif., contributed $400,000 toward the project.
Address and Directions
Ross Academic Center 1110 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Google Directions/Map
From Detroit Metro Airport and points east: Take I-94 west to State Street (exit 177). Turn right. Travel north approximately 2 1/4 miles through two stoplights. Turn left just past Yost Ice Arena into parking lot. The Ross Academic Center is located to the north of Yost Ice Arena and east of the Ferry Field track.
From Chicago and points west: Take I-94 east to State Street (exit 177). Turn left. Travel north approximately 2 1/4 miles through three stoplights. Turn left just past Yost Ice Arena into parking lot. The Ross Academic Center is located to the north of Yost Ice Arena and east of the Ferry Field track.
From Toledo and points south: Take U.S. 23 north to I-94 west. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.
From Flint and points north: Take U.S. 23 south to I-94 west. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.
