Thursday, June 6, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Thursday, June 6, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom 11l University to launch fundraising campaign in November 2013 Garnering financial aid funds for students top priority By SAM GRINGLAS Daily StaffReporter Over the last few months, University administrators and the University's.Board of Regents have welcomed several multi-million dollar donations - the $110 million donation from Charles Munger to build a graduate residence hall and the $50 million from the Zell Family Foundation to endow the Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing broke records for University and LSA giving respectively. But the University's rallying cry for philanthropic action has yet to officially commence. After months of planning and two years of courting preliminary donors, University officials are set to launch the next capital campaign Nov. 8. In April, an army of campaign leaders and volunteers - as well as students, faculty and outgoing and incoming provosts Phil Hanlon and Martha Pollack, respectively - met in preparation for November's kickoff. At the meeting, real estate mogul and University alum Stephen Ross announced he would CASE From Page 1 "It was a pretty weak identifica- tion, (the witness) said that he could have been wrong," Syed said. "That's pretty significant when a witness says that." Last spring, it was revealed that Strong made several phone calls to his mother and girlfriend both admitting his crime and saying that Tyner was in fact not at the scene of the crime at all. After Strong's death, a suspected suicide,his mother came forward with the new evidence. The clinic is helping Tyner appeal his case to the State Supreme Court after new evidence was found that may indicate he is innocent of the murder he was convicted of in 2007. chair the campaign although he extended an open invitation for a co-chair to join him. Tom Baird, assistant vice president of campaign strategy at the University, said a chair serves as the campaign's "top volunteer," providing a public persona, bringing leaders together and solidifying the campaign's brand. While the University has found its top volunteer, scores more are needed to run a successful campaign - and many of them have already assumed a ready position. Baird said volunteers are crucial in any capital campaign as they form committees, bolster the University's network of connections, serve on regional committees and tell the University's story. "They serve as examples of people that are giving back and having an impact," Baird said. "They tell the story that Michigan is important to support and endorsing what people can achieve with the University of Michigan through their giving. They can have a real impact on the world." In framing the campaign, University administrators have set a list of focus areas for giving, which Baird said would focus less on infrastructure projects than its predecessor, The Michigan Difference, which ended in 2008 and raised $3.2 billion. The campaign's highest priority Strong's mother and girlfriend testified and the case was granted a motion for a new trial, although the court of appeals reversed the decision without hearing the case. The clinic then took the case to the State Supreme Court who ordered it sent back to the Court of Appeals for review. Syed said although Tyner did eventually get his whole story heard, cases such as these, which he labeled as a "weak conviction," often go unchecked. "It's not that uncommon that someone gets convicted on the tes- timony of just one witness," Syed said. "Our system has 'proof beyond a reasonable doubt' but I don't think people understand in practice how little that is." Devon Holstad, a student attor- ney forthe clinic, said the trendsthat will be extending greater financial aid to University students. Additionally, the University hopes to focus on projects to extend classroom learning into real world experiences that could develop students' global views or entrepreneurial spirits, for example. Pollack said the University also intends to use gifts toward public good, centering around four areas: human and environmental health, poverty and inequality, sustainable transportation and K-12 education. "The University's a great platform to have impact," Baird said. "It's a very collaborative institution. It's a place where if you want to have an impact in any area of human endeavor, Michigan can probably help you realize your passions by supporting people doing the hard work that are the best in the world." In a February interview, University President Mary Sue Coleman told The Michigan Daily the campaign must showcase the power of giving in the lives of students and faculty. "We need to fashion this in a way donors can get excited about the difference they can make in people's lives so a lot of this will be storytelling about what students have done and what the impact of having various scholarships has been," Coleman said. Baird said University lead to weak convictions include faulty witness identification and prosecutorial misconduct. "They want to convict someone," Holstad said. "So they will latch onto the first person that it may seem like there's a chance that they commit- ted the crime and ... ignore any other evidence to the contrary." Syed said another common prob- lem in wrongful convictions is poor representation for the accused. The National Legal Aid and Defender Association reported in 2011 that Michigan ranked 44th in public defense spending, with $7.35 spent per capita. "It has a lot to do with money but it has a lot to do with things slipping under the radar," Syed said. "In a situation where budgets are tight, criminal defendants aren't exactly the first that get consideration." Communications Director Lisa Rudgers would likely play a role in not only the branding of the campaign, but also help to effectively disseminate the University's narrative to donors. The upcoming project would include a greater web presence and emphasis on social media. In addition, Baird said telling the University's story to potential donors takes on greater importance as other universities compete for donors' dollars. With the end of the 2009 recession, Baird said more public universities have begun launching campaigns. Campaigns by large private institutions like Stanford - which raised $6.2 billion - have brought in billions of dollars. With roughly five months before the campaign launches, campaign organizers are continuing to set goals and organize volunteers. The campaign's name, fundraising goal and end date have yet to be set, along with the campaign's role in the University's upcoming bicentennial. Development officials will also continue to raise money for the campaign's Nucleus Fund - gifts collected in advance of a campaign's launch. Since July 2011, the University has gathered one billion dollars in donations. With the latest capital campaign yet to begin, this total is far from final. The clinic is one of few in the country that deals specifically with non-DNA evidence. Syed said often the only cases that are reopened are those where new DNA evidence emerges because DNA evidence is considered the most likelyto change the outcome of a case. However, most cases don't have any DNA evidence at all and prob- lems like faulty witness testimony are much more common, Syed said. Brian Levy, a student attorney in the clinic, said while DNA evidence revealed the extent of wrongful con- victions, there is now a much higher demand for non-DNA clinics that has not yet been met. "There are constantly cases that we are having to put on hold and not able to investigate," Levy said. "It's very sad that we can't do more than we're doing." ?the khioan BaeUe 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327 www.michigandaily.com KATIE BURKE MERYL HULTENG Editor in Chief Business Manager CONTACT INFORMATION Newsroomofcehours Sun.-Thurs 1im -2 a.. 734-763.2459opt.3 Correstions correctionmihigadily.com LetterstotheEditor othedailyym.chanda iy.com or visit michigndal eomlters PhtDepartment photo(,o ni.g..da.ly..om Ars Sectinl samcius ,,,.ws lx.om, Editorial Page opinion.mechiganda .com. 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Report Card: Grading Michi n softball's 2013 season By ALEJANDRO ZUNIGA, ERIN LENNON and GREG GARNO Daily Sports Writers From Orlando, Fla. to Fullerton, Calif, to Lincoln, Neb., and finally Oklahoma City, the No. 8 Michigan softball team went the distance this season,literally.Likeanyyoungteam - one that boasted seven freshman and four sophomores on its roster - Michigan has experienced the turbulence associated with a five- monthseason and arunat anational championship. There were the highs - two Super Regional final comeback wins. to send the Wolverines to the Women's College World Series - and the lows, like an early exit from the Big Ten tournament. As it is in the classroom along with the softball field, after the final comes the grade. Most Valuable Player: Sara Driesenga Sure, freshman shortstop Sierra Romero swung her way to a Big Ten Player of the Year award. But like the old saying goes: They can't win if they don't score. For that reason, this year's most valuable player is sophomore right- hander Sara Driesenga. Inplace ofthe preseason National Collegiate Player ofthe Year finalist, Haylie Wagner, Driesenga was a horse from the start. Pitching became the story of non-conference play, as Driesenga bailed out a streaking, youngoffense to earn the Wolverines 21 victories. And when Wagner returned, Driesenga didn't relinquish her spot as Michigan's No. I on the pitching staff. When an offense that warranted preceding adjectives like explosive, contagious,potentorunstoppablein the regular season was shut down during the postseason, it was Driesenga in the driver's seat all the way to Oklahoma. The Hudsonville, Mich. native threw four complete-game shutouts in nine NCAA tournament appear- ances and earned seven victories. Driesenga finished her sophomore season with a 1.89 ERA and 31 of Michigan's 51 team victories - a performance worthy of first team All-Big Ten honors and Michigan's 2013 MVP. Most Improved: Sierra Lawrence One of just two freshmen on scholarship at the University, left fielder Sierra Lawrence finished this season as the Wolverines' most N In H s oe hILLIA MS/ aily Junior first baseman Caitlin Blanchard helped lead a Micigan offense that ranked seventh nationally in runs scored this season. Marlene Lacasse Managing Photo Editor photo@michigandaily.com Austineed Managing Design Editor Meaghan Thompson ManagingCopyEditor copydesk@michigandaily.com BUSINESSSTAFF Leah Louis-Prescott S ales Manager improved player. A recruit out of Greater Atlanta Christian High School, Lawrence was projected to find her home next to a fellow Sierra, as in fresh- man shortstop Sierra Romero. As a senior in high school, Lawrence hit .568 with a record-setting 14 home runs and 49 bases stolen - a testa- ment to her speed at 5-foot-8. After struggling through fall ball, Lawrence was questionable as a starter, let alone a starting infielder. When Romero secured her position at shortstop, Lawrence was forced to adjust to the outfield - in the Wolverines' only unfilled position in left field. The freshman commit- ted three fielding errors in Febru- ary and March, but was perfect the remainder of the season. Much like her defense, Lawrence found her home in the batting order midway through the season. In just six days as the number-nine hitter, Lawrence used her speed to turn over the lineup and score 26 runs for the offense in six Michigan victories. A mid-season offensive surge pushed Lawrence up in the order behind junior slugger Caitlin Blanchard. Though it took a few months to brand 'The Sierra's,' both were selected to represent the United States on the 2013 Junior Women's National team in April. In the Wolverines' final game at the Women's College World Series, Lawrence was the only player to score against Washington - after stealing second base, no less. Lawrence finished the season hitting.314 with 47 runs scored and a team-leading 11 stolen bases, and was one of six Wolverines named to the All-Big Ten first team. Offense: A/A- It's tough to give Michigan any- thing less than this grade after the numbers it put up. Really, this team went as far as its offense went. The Wolverines finished the sea- son tied with Tennessee for sixth place in runs scored, with 6.64, and entered the NCAA Tournament ranked second. They finished 15th nationally in team batting average (.321) and had the Big Ten Player of the Year in slugger Sierra Romero. Butthe postseasonmay be a more accurate determiner of how the offense actually performed, which simply put, was nohexistent. The Wolverines ranked eighth out of the eight teams in the WCWS and totaled just 10 hits while scoring only four runs. Only Arizona State (Michigan's only win) had less runs, but played fewer games. And while the Big Ten season may have contributed to inflated numbers, they were still spectacu- lar. Nine mercy-rule victories, 21 runs in a game and 74 home runs certainly deserve some respect. Pitching: B+ Sara Driesenga can only do so much. And while she certainly is deserving of Michigan's MVP, her teammate in the circle couldn't quite keep up, bringing this grade down just a notch. Driesenga and her teammate, sophomore left-hander Haylie Wagner, put up impressive numbers together, like a combined ERA of 2.38. Along with right-handers, freshman Alice Fitzpatrick and senior Stephanie Speierman, the Wolverines posted a solid 2.31 ERA, good for 41st in the nation. But Wagner was injured and never fully regained her old self from last year's stellar season. Fitz- patrick and Speierman were never strong enough to fill in, and both ended the season with a high ERA. The result was a one-woman show that exposed depth at a position that wasn't expected to be an issue. Defense: B- In a second elimination game against Washington on Sunday, the No. 8 Michigan softball team car- ried a one-run lead into the top of the sixth inning with a chance at a rematch with No.1 Oklahoma. The Huskies led off the inning with a single. A subsequent ball off of sophomore pitcher Sara Driesenga's ankle into right field and throws to home, second and third, put Washington up by one with a runner on third. It was one of the rare times the defense had failed Driesenga throughout the Wolverine'sjourney to the WCWS, but something that didn't surprise Michigan coach Carol Hutchins. As a team, Michigan committed 77 errors this season, which is well over an error a game. And while the roster may have boasted offensive stars, the defense often looked like a whole different team. Freshman shortstop and hitting sensation Sierra Romero may have hit 23 home runs, but she finished the season with a team- leading 24 errors at shortstop. With 13 errors of her own, senior second baseman Ashley Lane finished her season second to Romero in both home runs and errors. The team also converted just 22 double plays on the season. The Wolverines earn a passing grade on defense because of the post season and the post season alone. When a laboring Driesenga found herself with the bases loaded several times throughout the WCWS, it was the defense that came through in , the clutch. In Michigan's sole victory in Oklahoma City against Arizona State, senior third baseman Amy Knapp - a newcomer to third base in her senior year - fielded a sharp grounder and threw home to start a 5-2-3 double play and end a bases-loaded threat. At third, Knapp committed just six errors this season - the lowest among Michigan infielders. Lauren Sweet also finished with a team-leading .986 fielding percentage. Like alB' at the classroom, there's room for improvement. Final Grade: A/A- Hutchins has done it again. A winning season is not enough. More than 1,300 wins is not enough. With a program that has won 15 conference titles, made 10 world series and taken home a national championship - the first and only title east of the Mississippi - Oklahoma was always the goal. Still, this season was intended to ... be one of rebuilding. Having lost all- star Amanda Chidester and captain Bree Evans, 2013 was to be about grooming the talented freshmen class into a title-winning machine. Hutchins talked of potential for greatness from early on, if only this squad would realize its potential in time. And they did. The Wolverines went undefeated in the Big Ten before meeting Nebraska in Lincoln to snap a 23-game winning streak. At Alumni Field, the home team was undefeated during the regular season and dropped just one game in the NCAA Super Regional to Louisiana-Laffayette. But at the WCWS, the Wolverines were given a taste of their own medicine by top-seeded Oklahoma in Sooner territory - the team that would go undefeated en route to a national championship. And yet, with their backs up against the wall and in the wee hours of the night, a nonetheless, Michigan earned a victory over Arizona to extend its season, if only by hours. For now, let's remember that this team was one of eight teams to make it to the WCWS, and one of six to win a game while in Oklahoma City. The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published every Thursday during the spring and suner termas y students at the University at Michigan. One copy is available free of charge to all readers. Additional copies maybe picked up at the Daily's oftice tar $2. Suhscriptions turtall tern, starting in Septemher, uia U.S. nail are $110. Winter term l(anuary through April) is $115, yearlong (September through April)is $195. University affiliates are suhject In a reduced suhscription rate. 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