Because of this , UM gained the nickname `` Harvard of the West , '' which became commonly joked about in reverse after John F. Kennedy called himself `` a graduate of the Michigan of the East , Harvard University '' in a speech . As a result , U-M gained the nickname `` Harvard of the West , '' which became commonly parodied in reverse after John F. Kennedy referred to himself as `` a graduate of the Michigan of the East , Harvard University '' in his speech proposing the formation of the Peace Corps while on the front steps of the Michigan Union .