Message from the Dean
As a public institution, the Law School has an obligation to serve the public interest. In the Law Quad, that mission is carried out in myriad ways. We instill in our students not only the importance of teamwork and collegiality between classmates—a hallmark of our culture—but also the importance of giving back. Simply put, Michigan Law trains lawyers who are committed to the greater good.
Michigan Law alumni carry this tradition of service with them wherever they go. Our graduates are leaders and volunteers at organizations that provide services to those in need, protect our environment and natural resources, encourage and support the arts, and in many other ways contribute to the functioning of a caring and vibrant society.
Alumni Service Day, held annually on a spring Saturday, is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate these shared values by volunteering as a team with local organizations across the country and beyond. In many ways, this event captures the essence of Michigan Law—we like spending time with other Wolverines, and we like service. Wherever you are, I hope you will join an event in your area or take the initiative to start a new tradition in your community.
Kyle Logue
Interim Dean
Douglas A. Kahn Collegiate Professor of Law
Participating Locations
The 2024 Alumni Service Day will take place on Saturday, May 4. Information about individual events will be added below as details are confirmed for each participating location. In previous years, alumni have hosted events in Anchorage, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. If you are interested in organizing an event in a new location or getting involved in existing activities, please reach out to Laura Gray at [email protected]. Go Blue!
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Anchorage
Michigan Law alumni, friends, and family are gathering at Clare House, a 24/7 emergency shelter for mothers and children.
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Ann Arbor
Volunteers will work with Food Gatherers, a food bank and food rescue program serving Washtenaw County.
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San Francisco Bay Area
Michigan Law alumni and friends in the Bay Area will be volunteering with the Marin County Parks at the Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Preserve in San Rafael.
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Chicago
Chicago-area alumni and friends will be volunteering with Cradles to Crayons, which provides children with essential items they need to thrive at home, school, and play.
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Cincinnati
Michigan Law alumni and friends in the Cincinnati area will be volunteering with Freestore Foodbank.
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Dallas
Dallas-area alumni and friends will be volunteering with House of Shine, an educational nonprofit and interactive self-discovery museum whose mission is to help people aged 5–95 find who they are and why their contributions to the world matter.
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Los Angeles
Alumni and friends from the Los Angeles area will volunteer at Cabrillo Beach Coastal Park.
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New York City
Alumni and friends in New York City will be volunteering with Publicolor at the Aerospace Science Magnet School in Queens. Volunteers will assist in various painting projects alongside their student volunteers.
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Washington, DC
Volunteers in the DC area will work with East Capitol Farm, one of the food hubs operated by the University of the District of Columbia’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability & Environmental Sciences.
Alumni Service Day FAQs
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What is Alumni Service Day?
The importance of community service is one that has been encouraged for years at Michigan Law. We know that our alumni are also very active in their communities, and Alumni Service Day is organized around a project that can make a difference in a day in their communities. Whether you are planting a community garden; painting a public school; sorting food in a food bank; helping the homeless; rehabbing a home; or cleaning a river, you are sure to have an excellent time while lending a hand to a worthy organization.
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Why isn’t my city or area listed?
We rely on volunteer Team Leaders to coordinate local activities with administration support from our office. If your city is not listed and you are interested in being a Team Leader, please contact us at [email protected] and we will provide you with the necessary information to begin planning a day of service in your area.
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What is involved in being a Team Leader?
Team Leaders have autonomy in selecting and planning their volunteer opportunity provided that they: organize activity for the planned date; avoid religious and political organizations or projects; serve as liaison between the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) and the selected organization; and perform activity with the spirit of Michigan Law and the University in mind. For more information, contact Laura Gray at [email protected] or 734.615.4501.
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Can my family and friends participate?
Most definitely! Alumni Service Day is open to friends and family of our alumni community. These events are a wonderful opportunity to introduce families to community service. In fact, many of our participating locations involve activities that are family friendly and several may be appropriate for young children.
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Why is Alumni Service Day only offered on one date?
We coordinate our event on the same date as the University of Michigan’s Alumni Association day of service. Historically, they have selected their date based on the University’s commencement to build a sense of community with Michigan alumni both on and off campus.
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How are organizations selected for Alumni Service Day?
Selection of organizations comes from suggestions from Team Leaders, past volunteers, and interested alumni. The arrangement between Michigan Law and various service organizations around the country for Alumni Service Day is intended as a one-day partnership to carry out specific functions that benefit the communities where these organizations are based. The selection of these groups, and the volunteer involvement of Michigan Law alumni, does not imply that the Law School approves or sanctions all viewpoints represented by these organizations, nor should these arrangements be construed as such approval.
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Questions?
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Laura Gray in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 734.615.4501 or at [email protected]