Michigan State University’s Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum have received a generous $7.5 million bequest from alumnus Alan Ross and his spouse, Rebecca Ross, further strengthening their commitment to the arts. This substantial gift will significantly enhance the museum’s exhibition program and secure its legacy for generations to come.
East Lansing, MI – The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University (MSU) has received a remarkable $7.5 million bequest gift from dedicated alumni Alan Ross and Rebecca Ross. This generous contribution builds upon their previous support for the museum, reinforcing their commitment to the arts and higher education.
In 2014, the couple established the Alan and Rebecca Ross Exhibition Endowment with a $1 million cash gift to support the museum’s exhibition program. Their latest contribution will significantly amplify the impact of this endowment, furthering the museum’s mission to present innovative research, scholarship, and interdisciplinary learning through a global roster of artists.
The Rosses’ longstanding relationship with the museum was also celebrated with the naming of the Alan and Rebecca Ross Education Wing, located in the Zaha Hadid-designed museum. This open, light-filled space hosts a diverse audience, including children, MSU students, and adults, fostering a deep connection to the arts.
MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., expressed her gratitude for the couple’s unwavering support, saying, “It is deeply meaningful to have the support of Alan and Rebecca Ross, who are leaders in the arts community in Michigan and beyond. Their partnership is a tremendous asset as we grow and expand the MSU Arts strategy. This new gift commitment helps ensure that these efforts and their legacy will continue for generations to come.”
Alan Ross, who graduated cum laude from MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1977, and Rebecca Ross, who share a deep passion for art, have traveled the world to collect pieces from prominent contemporary artists. Their extensive collection includes sculptures, paintings, drawings, prints, and more, reflecting their dedication to the arts.
Beyond financial contributions, the Rosses have also supported the museum through numerous in-kind gifts of art. Recently, they gifted several important works by Zaha Hadid, making the MSU Broad Art Museum home to the largest collection of Zaha Hadid Design works in North America.
The Rosses’ influence extends beyond the MSU Broad Art Museum. In 2022, they established the Alan and Rebecca Ross DIA Enrichment Fund at MSU to strengthen collaborations between the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Department of Art, Art History, and Design in MSU’s College of Arts and Letters.
Their philanthropic impact aligns with the university’s broader commitment to the arts. MSU recently launched Arts MSU to showcase the diverse arts activities across campus, offering nationally accredited museums, leading performing arts venues, and programming that bridges the gap between arts and research.
Alan Ross spoke of their enduring connection to art, saying, “We continue to learn from art, beginning with the most primitive cave drawings and continuing to the über-current TikTok performance videos. We see something in all forms of art. This gift will provide the MSU Broad with the annual resources to continue and grow its exhibition program for the students, faculty, and community forever.”
In sum, the generous bequest from Alan and Rebecca Ross represents a significant milestone in the journey of Michigan State University’s Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, promising unparalleled engagements with art and enriching the lives of countless individuals for years to come.