James B. Angell , was the university 's president from 1871 to 1909 , made UM 's teachings include subjects such as dentistry , architecture , engineering , government , and medicine . James Burrill Angell , who served as the university 's president from 1871 to 1909 , aggressively expanded U-M 's curriculum to include professional studies in dentistry , architecture , engineering , government , and medicine .