Tauber Gift to Name Hutchins Classroom for Family

Joel D. Tauber, ’59, has made a $1.5 million campaign commitment to the Law School, part of a total gift of $4.1 million to The Michigan Difference campaign. 

In recognition, room 138 in Hutchins Hall will be named the Tauber Family Room in a ceremony to be held this fall. The name reflects the Tauber family’s long relationship with Michigan Law. Tauber’s father, Benjamin, was a 1930 LLB alumnus, and his son, Brian, received both a JD from the Law School and an MBA from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in 1992. Joel Tauber earned a BBA in 1956 and an MBA in 1963, both from the Ross School. 

Tauber, chairman of Tauber Enterprises in Southfield, Mich., is one of the University’s most engaged alumni as both donor and volunteer. A member of President Mary Sue Coleman’s Advisory Group, he is currently a national vice chair of The Michigan Difference and chairs its Greater Detroit Leadership Gifts Committee. He is a former member of the Law School Committee of Visitors and a past president of the Law School Detroit Major Gifts Committee, among many other volunteer roles. He and his wife, Shelley, have hosted many events on behalf of the University.  

In 2005 the University recognized Tauber as a recipient of the David B. Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership. His accolades also include the Alumni Achievement Award for 1998 from the Ross School, awarded annually to the alumnus or alumna whose attainments in their professional fields have brought distinction to themselves, credit to the school and benefit to their fellow citizens. This spring he received an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University. 

Tauber’s campaign commitment to the Law School is designated for the building expansion fund.