Richard and Susan Rogel

Dedicated to Improving Lives

Bold philanthropists and longtime supporters of the University of Michigan, Richard and Susan Rogel have committed much of their lives to providing opportunities to others, including students and medical researchers. Their generosity extends from gifts of time and resources to sharing expertise and vision.

With great foresight and a goal to make lives better, the Rogels are committing $150 million to the U-M cancer center during the Victors for Michigan Campaign. In recognition of their many years of giving and service, the center was renamed the Rogel Cancer Center in March 2018.

Having contributed $188.5 million to at least 17 different areas across the University of Michigan, the Rogels are the second largest individual donors in university history. They made their first major gift in 1987. Their contributions during the Victors for Michigan campaign top $162 million.

Both of the Rogels have taken on volunteer leadership roles throughout the university. Richard serves as co-chair of the $4 billion Victors for Michigan campaign. Previously, he served as chair of the Michigan Difference campaign (2004-2008), which raised $3.2 billion, at that time setting a new record among public universities in the United States.

Richard recently launched and chairs a national advisory board for the Rogel Cancer Center. He leads the Michigan Medicine portion of the Victors campaign and the campaign for student support across the university. He is a member of the President’s Advisory Group, Provost’s Advisory Committee, Michigan Medicine Advisory Group, Frankel Cardiovascular Center National Advisory Board, University Musical Society Senate, and the Samuel Zell and Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board. He also co-chairs the Development Advisory Board for the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute and the Leadership and Development Council for the Joint Institute for Translational and Clinical Research between Michigan Medicine and Peking University Health Science Center, among other roles. He is a former president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Susan serves on the steering committee of the Victors for Michigan National Campaign Leadership Board, the Depression Center Campaign Council, and the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital National Campaign Leadership Council. She has served on committees benefiting Hill Auditorium and the Alumni Association’s Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Campaign, among other efforts.

The Rogels’ generosity has been far-reaching. More than 540 U-M students have received scholarships funded by the Rogels. They have supported the Medical School, Ross School of Business, the Kenneth G. Lieberthal and Richard H. Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, the Athletic Department, the School of Social Work, the University Musical Society, and many other areas.

Both of the Rogels have received Presidential Societies Service Citations in recognition of their exceptional leadership in fundraising activities.

Richard also received U-M's inaugural David B. Hermelin Award for fundraising volunteer leadership in 2004, the university's highest award to volunteers. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree in 2009. His high level of commitment to U-M led to his being awarded the 2011 Ernest T. Stewart Award for Alumni Volunteer Involvement from CASE, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

The Rogels live in Avon, Colorado, and Scottsdale, Arizona. Richard serves as president of the investing firm Tomay Inc. A native of New Jersey, he is the founder, former chairman and CEO of the Preferred Provider Organization of Michigan, which was the first in the country of this type of health insurance plan. In the late 1990s, he sold it to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Richard graduated as the valedictorian of his 1970 class at what is now the U-M Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

The Rogels’ interests are as broad as their philanthropy suggests. They share passions for music and traveling. Richard studies Mandarin and makes multiple trips to China each year. Susan is an avid hiker and cyclist. They enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren and a vibrant extended family.