Michigan State University has received a multimillion-dollar gift for the East Lansing school’s Jewish Studies program.
The school says the gift from Michael and Elaine Serling combines cash and estate giving. The program’s name has been changed to the Michael and Elaine Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel.
The Serling’s gift is expected to stimulate activities between Michigan State faculty and their Israeli colleagues in humanities, social sciences, business entrepreneurship, medical science, engineering and other fields. The gift also will contribute to research, study abroad and internship opportunities in Israel for undergraduate and graduate students while providing support for visiting Israeli scholars.
Michael Serling is a Detroit-area attorney who received his bachelor’s degree in history and teaching certification in 1966 from Michigan State.