The University of Michigan Heritage Project is a web-based collection of long-form stories about the people who have shaped—and been shaped by—one of the world’s great public universities. By design, the Heritage Project is not the definitive history of the University of Michigan. Rather, it is a living resource that grows and changes as the university’s life continues. It draws upon the university’s archives and, through engaging storytelling, explores people and episodes from U-M’s past.
From the Judges
Each story in this series reads like a novella that we could not put down, thanks to meticulous research and perfect pacing. One judge noted that “while it may be due to luck, the choice to cover topics like the 1918 flu pandemic and the question of how to confront fascism makes this historical project come alive with relevance for the present day.” Another judge pointed out the “cinematic” quality of the storytelling, which, they imagined, could easily inspire film or TV adaptations. Adding to the series’ overall appeal is its packaging on a website that is user-friendly, attractive, and immersive—without the design overwhelming the text.
