Since our club’s founding in 1916, Rotarians have been influential shaping our community and world. The impact that our members have made can be seen in the names of the streets we travel, the buildings we enter, and the memories we hold.

The following information was provided by a club membership directory from 1946-1948.

Bonisteel Boulevard on north campus is named after Roscoe O. Bonisteel (inducted in 1918). Bonisteel was an attorney in Ann Arbor and a member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents from 1946 to 1959. He served as president of our club in 1932-33. He was also the  president of the Michigan State Bar Association from 1936 to 1937, and  was on the board of directors and chairman of the executive committee of the National Music Camp at Interlochen.

Bursley Hall on north campus is named after Joseph A. Bursley (inducted in 1917). Bursley was a U-M faculty member and administrator from 1904 to 1947. He served as professor of mechanical engineering, the first dean of men, and dean of students.

Crisler Arena is named after Herbert O. “Fritz” Crisler (inducted 1939). Crisler was head coach at the University of Michigan from 1938 to 1947. He is credited with developing two-platoon football, where separate groups of players played on offense and defense.

Earhart Road, on the northeast part of Ann Arbor is named after Harry B. Earhart (inducted 1921). Earhart bought the struggling Buffalo, New York-based White Star Refining Company in 1911, and moved it to Michigan, just as the auto industry was beginning to get rolling. As a philanthropist, he He founded the Earhart Foundation, which identified talented and influential scholars such as Friedrich A. Hayek and Milton Friedman. Over the years, nine winners of the Nobel Prize in economics were Earhart Foundation fellows.

Fiegel’s, an iconic men’s store on Main Street where many young men bought their first suit, or scouts their first uniform, was named after Albert Fiegel (inducted 1933). Fiegel began working in the clothing business at the age of 18 in 1891. He opened his own store in 1920 and retired in 1943 after selling the business to associates.

Forsythe Middle School is named after Lewis L. Forsythe (inducted 1917). Forsythe was principal of Ann Arbor High School from 1917 to 1946 and served as president of our club in 1938-1939. He also served as president of the YM-YWCA board and the Michigan Secondary Schools Principals Association.

Haisley Elementary School is named after Otto W. Haisley (inducted 1924). Haisley served as the Ann Arbor Public School Superintendent from 1924 to 1953 and was president of our club in 1930-31.

Matt Mann Pool on Michigan’s central campus is named after Mathew Mann (inducted 1943). Mann was born in Great Britain and was the University of Michigan swimming coach from 1925 to 1954. During his tenure, he led the team to 13 NCAA team titles.

The Power Center on Michigan’s central campus is named after Eugene B. Power (inducted 1933). Power founded Univeristy Microfilm in 1938, Now known as ProQuest, the company began publishing doctoral dissertations in 1939, During World War II, Power microfilmed thousands of rare books and periodicals in British libraries to preserve their contents from possible destruction.

Nielsen’s Flowers, another iconic Ann Arbor business where a corsage was fashioned worn by countless young ladies at homecoming, was named after J. Fred Nielsen (inducted 1936).

Schreiber Auditorium in Ann Arbor’s Pioneer High School is named after Nicholas Schreiber (inducted 1942). Schreiber succeeded Lewis Forsythe as Ann Arbor High School principal and served until his retirement in 1968. During his tenure, the school district purchased the property at the corner of Main St. and W. Stadium Blvd. and built Pioneer High School. Schreiber served as club president in 1950-51.

The recently renovated Alexander G. Ruthven Building on Michigan’s central campus is named after University of Michigan President Alexander G. “Sandy” Ruthven (inducted 1933). Ruthven served as U-M president from 1929 – 1951. His academic field was herpetology and zoology, and he described and named 16 new species of reptiles.

The University of Michigan’s Towsley Center for Continuing Medical Education is named after Harry A. Towsley (inducted 1938). Towsley was a professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases at U-M. He earned his medical degree here in 1931 and spent his entire career here in Ann Arbor, retiring in 1971. Towsley was elected to the Michigan Health Council’s Health Hall of Fame in 1970 .

As a member of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor you are never alone as you make your way in time through this wonderful city we call home.