Michael Serling: distinguished alumnus and friend of MSU
Of all the accolades
The MSU alumnus credits his time at Michigan
accomplished attorney
State as crucial to his development and success,
Program under way at MSU back in the 1990s, I
Michael Serling has received,
and he has been steadfast in demonstrating his
was thrilled and wanted to help make it happen,"
he counts his 2004 MSU
appreciation for MSU.
he says. "To see my alma mater taking the lead in
Distinguished Alumni
Award as a highlight.
Serling has served as chairperson of the advisory
"I've been very blessed in my career and marriage,
board for MSU's Jewish Studies Program and is a
"When I found out there was a Jewish Studies
the intellectual advancement of Jewish studies
has been very rewarding."
member of the advisory board of MSU Hillel—the
Due to his ongoing MSU connection, Serling
and so many of my blessings are because of the
Lester and Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student
has witnessed firsthand how the programs he
education I received and influences I gained at
Center—and the President's Cabinet for the
supports make an impact.
MSU," says Serling, who earned a BA (1966) in
Campaign for MSU. Serling and his wife, Elaine,
history and teaching certification from MSU and
are members of the MSU Kedzie Society, which
his JD (1970) from the Detroit College of Law
recognizes donors who have made pledges of
(now MSU College of Law).
at least $1 million or planned gifts of at least
Serling's Birmingham legal practice specializes in
$1.5 million.
"There has been a renaissance of Jewish life at MSU
due to Jewish studies and Hillel," he says. "MSU
provides an enriching and welcoming opportunity
for Jewish and non-Jewish students to learn about
Jewish history, culture, and religion and Israel."
environmental and product liability law, and his
The Serlings have supported music, athletics,
expertise in asbestos contamination is sought
medicine, and MSU Hillel with their gifts, and their
around the world. Among his clients are more
passion for the Jewish Studies Program led to the
than 300 school districts, in addition to building
endowment of a chair in Israel studies, making
owners and individuals, in Michigan and 19 other
MSU one of only a handful of universities in the
states, as well as in Europe and Israel.
country to have such a position. The Serlings also
In addition to giving back to his alma mater,
Serling has passed on his loyalty and love for
Michigan State. His wife has become an MSU
fan, and both of the couple's daughters and a
son-in-law are MSU graduates. 0
created a fund for Israel-related programming,
including an annual Serling Lecture on Modern
Israel and Israeli Film Festival.
MSU's residential college, study abroad, service-learning,
and undergraduate research offerings are "stellar examples"
of programs that help students succeed.
News & World d'eport's Proorams to Look For. 2010 edition of America's Best Colleges
CONNECT WITH MSU
VISIT US ONLINE
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH MSU HILLEL
CATCH UP ON THE LATEST NEWS FROM MSU
msu.edu
Join MSU Hillel—the Lester and Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center—for
holiday services, dinners, and celebrations at 360 Charles St., East Lansing. For a
complete list of events, go to msuhillei.orgievents. Here's what's coming up:
Yom Kippur—September 28
A full day of activities: 9 a.m., services; 10 a.m., Torah service; 11 a.m., Yizkor;
2 p.m., Fast and Fun; 7 p.m., Neila and Havdalah; Break the Fast following services.
RSVP for Break the Fast: operations@msuhillel.org .
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Kirschner Student Recruitment Event and Jewish Studies Board Meeting—
September 30
Plan on attending the Jewish Studies Advisory Board meeting and dinner at
6 p.m. at the West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center, 6600 W. Maple Road.
At 7:30 p.m., join the MSU Office of Admissions and MSU Hillel for a student
recruitment event. RSVP: (248) 647-6966.
MSU Homecoming—October 12-17
Celebrate your Spartan spirit during MSU Homecoming 2009! Watch MSU take
on the Northwestern Wildcats and don't miss the Homecoming parade on
October 16. Stay up to date on the week of events at
homecoming.msumdu/2009.
Spartan Spectacular—October 31
The MSU College of Music presents the annual Spartan Spectacular featuring
the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, Spartan Marching Band, and MSU
Drumline. For tickets, go to whartoncenter.com .
WATCH MSUTODAY SHOWS
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EXPLORE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
givingto.msu.edu
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALUMNI PARTICIPATION
msualum.com
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UNIVERSITY
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