News for alumni & friends
Commencement 2020
Greetings from Ann Arbor -

It is hard to believe this weekend is already commencement, a new beginning for our graduating students, who we are excited to welcome as alumni into our global Tauber Institute community!

In the 25+ years of the Tauber Institute's existence, this semester has been the most disruptive. But " adversity brings out the best in us " and that is exactly what I have witnessed at the institute over the past two months. Our alumni, staff, faculty, and industry partners have all worked together to quickly reinvent our 2020 team projects for this summer - sharing ideas, providing resources, and donating funds to ensure our current students experience this fundamental aspect of our program.

We realize these are challenging times for all, but if you are in a safe and secure position we hope you will make a donation to support team project student stipends for teams whose revised projects are for organizations such as nonprofits and startups that cannot support full student salaries. We are grateful for your ongoing support, and look forward to the time when we can thank you in person!

Go Blue!
Engineering Co-director
Tauber Institute for Global Operations

Make the most of your living space
This semester's Integrated Product Development challenge could not have been more timely. Four teams vied for a piece of the online marketplace with their brand new tech products created to maximize living spaces and promote wellness. When the votes were tallied, the adjustable and collapsible ergo workspace sold the most units, but " diffuser and sand haven" atmos posted the greatest profit!
Shock to food supply chain spurs creativity
The global food supply chain has been rocked by the pandemic. Ross Professor of Technology & Operations Ravi Anupindi discusses current problems, and points out signs of hope, such as the success of smaller grocers in maintaining supply lines with local sources.
truck-countryside.jpg
Medical supply chains put to the test
IOE Professor Mark Daskin and PhD candidate Emily Tucker analyze how the leanness built into many medical supply chains means that a problem at any stage can disrupt the entire supply chain for months.
stethoscope_dr_pad.jpg
Tauber ultramarathoner seeks to optimize life
Dr. Geoff Burns (EGL BSE/MSE Biomedical Engineering '13) defended his Ph.D. thesis just before the university suspended in-person events. We caught up with Geoff via zoom - and heard how he applied the principles he learned at the Tauber Institute to achieve success as a professional ultramarathoner while pursuing his doctoral studies in Movement Science at the Michigan School of Kinesiology. (Geoff has tips on great Michigan wines, too!)
Take a virtual Toyota facility tour
Tauber students who needed to complete their facility tour requirement this semester have been able to do so through online resources compiled by the institute. This is one of our favorite virtual experiences: a VIP tour of Toyota’s largest plant in the world, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky.
The SAB Year in Review
As a vital part of the institute, the Tauber Student Advisory Board has continued to provide social and academic support for their fellow students through virtual formats since the university suspended in-person learning. SAB President Michelle Pawlow takes a look back at some of the many memorable events organized by the SAB this past year.
Celebrate our newest Tauber alumni!
We are tremendously proud of the accomplishments of the Tauber Institute class of 2020 and admire the fortitude with which they have faced the challenges of the past two months. We hope you will share congratulations with them through social media and join the virtual celebrations of the University of Michigan commencement weekend!
Juan Manuel Alfaro (MBA)
Maria Mercedes Alvarez (MBA)
Thomas Barlow (MSE ME)
Fernanda Sampaio Barros (MBA)
Cecilia Ines Beux Rodriguez (MBA)
Nathan Herschel Block (EGL BSE/MSE EE)
Blake Louis Bogart (MBA)
Dwight Brisbin (EGL BSE/MSE CS)
Jack Claucherty (EGL BSE/MSE IOE)
Jason Patrick Comstock (EGL BSE/MSE IOE)
Almira Dogruyol (EGL BSE/MSE IOE)
Andrés Fuentes-Afflick (MBA)
David Ginsberg (MBA)
Caleb Goldstein (MSE-IOE)
Robbie Greenberg (EGL BSE/MSE IOE)
Benjamin Grogan (MBA)
Shabir Grover (Dual MM/MSE ME)
Bryant Powell Hawkes (MBA/MEng Space Eng)
Stephanie Hoglund (EGL BSE/MSE IOE)
Jason Ji (EGL BSE CHEM/MSE IOE)
Rhea Kumar (MBA)
Lau Yun Song Darren (MBA)
Jayden Seonghyuk Lee (MBA)
Petra Marina Romano Lieber (EGL BSE/MSE IOE)
Yijung Lo (MBA)
Michael B. London (Dual MBA/MS Natural Resources)
Laura Malecky (MBA)
Kayla Malehorn (EGL BSE ME/MSE SE&D)
Ryan C. Manes (MBA)
Jerry Carmel Maniscalco Jr. (MBA)
Charles Manzoni (MBA)
Michael A. May (MSE-IOE)
Graham McCarthy (EGL BSE AERO/MSE IOE)
Alexander Mize (MSE IOE)
Charlie Moore (EGL BSE MS/MSE IOE)
Amine Moussaoui (MBA)
Thao Phuong Nguyen (MBA)
Robert Pakko (EGL BSE/MSE IOE)
Mary Grace Pellegrini (MBA & MS Information)
Hao Ran (MBA)
Jacob Siddall (MBA)
Nirav Bharat Suraiya (MBA)
Hiroki Tanaka (MBA)
Sarah Ting (MBA/MSE AERO)
Christian Paul Wire (EGL BSE CHEM/MSE IOE)
Nan Wu (MBA)
Dehao Zhang (MSE IOE)
Thank you Tauber Victors!
Your contributions ensure our students can continue to be the Leaders&Best in operations. Many thanks to Shawn Mindus (MBA '01) , Sharon & William Pfeuffer, Kartik Raju (MBA '19) , Santiago Vargas-Soto (MBA '09) , Abhishek Vyas (MSCM '09) , Kevin Zhou (MSE-MEng '05) , and anonymous donors for your recent gifts, and to all our alumni and friends for your generosity throughout the year.
Explore the Tauber alumni job board
Looking for a great new hire - or looking for your next career move? The Tauber alumni job board is the perfect place to post or peruse.
Recent job posts:
glass_globe_paperweight.jpg
Show your Michigan spirit on your next video conference call

Be camera-ready in maize and blue!
University of Michigan COVID-19 resources
Lead and inspire your virtual team
Our colleagues at the Sanger Leadership Center host webinars and curate articles that can help you lead with confidence during the pandemic.
Empower the people in your organization
Bring out the best in your coworkers and take better care of yourself. Our colleagues at the Center for Positive Organizations present strategies to help you continue to thrive during trying times.