Remember the Rose Bowl in Pasadena

As the sun set on the Rose Bowl Stadium, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible journey in Ann Arbor with my partner and current student at the Ross School of Business, Alexander Dawson, MBA ’24.

Even though we were more than 2,000 miles from Ann Arbor, I still felt at home in the sea of maize and blue in the Rose Bowl Stadium. While the football game (and the win) was undoubtedly the highlight of the day, the festivities extended beyond the field. The Ross Tailgate and other impromptu meet-ups showcased the vibrant and dynamic community thriving outside of Ann Arbor.

Moving to Ann Arbor two years ago, a place I had never been, and knowing absolutely no one (except for my partner) was daunting, but now, I am confident in saying it was the best thing we could have ever done.  This statement has a lot to do with the community I found at Michigan Ross and the experiences we were provided throughout these last few years. Whether it's traveling with 180 of your friends to Colombia over spring break, celebrating Diwali with the Indian Subcontinent Business Association, or even a Sunday dinner with friends, the people who surround you truly can make a remarkable difference.

“My first time in the Big House was back in Sep. 2012 when I was a freshman here at Michigan,” Alex said. “Students piled into the stadium to watch on the jumbotron as Michigan lost to Alabama 14-41 in the Dallas kickoff game. While the final result wasn’t what I wanted at all, I was hooked and became a forever Michigan fan. The opportunity to come back to Ann Arbor for grad school was something I could not pass up, but even more so was the opportunity to share my love of this school with my partner. Now, 16 home games, one overtime Rose Bowl win over Alabama, and one National Championship later, we are both forever Michigan fans.”

As Alex and I plan to move to a new city after graduation in May, I am beyond thankful for our time in Ann Arbor and am comforted that we will not be alone in this post-grad school transition.

Our Rose Bowl experience affirmed that the culture cultivated at Michigan Ross extends far beyond campus, creating a network of passionate individuals who will always show up for THE TEAM.