MLive: Presidents of Michigan's research universities say their 'graduates are key to strengthening' state economy

By Kellie Woodhouse Higher education reporter

Posted on Mon, Feb 4, 2013 : 12:07 p.m.

Presidents of Michigan's top three research universities say their schools are "working hard to help businesses succeed by providing the research and talent they need."

Mary Sue Coleman

In an op-ed featured on MLive.com, Lou Anna K. Simon, Mary Sue Coleman and Allan Gilmour, leaders of Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University, respectively, highlighted a recently released economic report that estimated the three schools had an $15.5 billion economic impact on the state.

From the editorial:

"As the presidents of the three [University Research Corridor] universities, we believe our graduates are key to strengthening and expanding Michigan's economy. The word is getting out that, if businesses want the brightest minds in engineering, biomedicine and alternative energy, they need to be in Michigan."

The report estimated that in 2011 the URC was responsible for more than 74,000 direct and indirect jobs overall, including jobs throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.