Honoring Exceptional Volunteer Leadership with the University of Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Michigan (U-M) has honored 37 individuals with The David B. Hermelin Volunteer Fundraising Award since the award's inception in 2004. On Nov. 9, U-M recognized three new honorees: Ari Spar (AB '89), Charles Woodson ('97), and Roger Zatkoff (ABED '64).

The award was created to honor the late David Hermelin (BBA '58, HHLD '00), a Detroit-area entrepreneur, philanthropist and former U.S. ambassador to Norway, who was a dedicated friend of the University. Hermelin graduated from U-M's Stephen M. Ross School of Business in 1958 and received an honorary degree in 2000.

This year's recipients exemplify Hermelin's dedication and volunteer their time and resources to better the Michigan community.

Ari Spar's giving across campus demonstrates his commitment to transforming lives, but also his devotion to family. At the Ross School he endowed the Rabbi Elliott T. Spar Scholarship Fund, honoring his father. He created the Sondra Lee Spar Endowed Scholarship Fund at the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, to honor his mother. And to honor his brother, he established the Elon D. Spar Innovation Partnership Research Fund in the Life Sciences Institute to accelerate discoveries in detecting and treating cancer. Spar has also supported facilities and learning opportunities in the Department of Athletics.