Wayne First campaign raises $320 million
Wayne State University held a dignitary-studded celebration on campus Thursday for donors to its major fundraising campaign, "Wayne First", which has now raised $320 million for major construction projects, endowments and scholarships since it was first launched one year ago.
It was a chance to thank, among others, Marvin Danto, and his wife Betty, who have contributed $3 million toward construction of the Marvin Danto Engineering Development Center.
Addressing the crowd gathered before a special stage erected for the event near Gullen Mall, Danto said he believes the new engineering center is an investment in Michigan's economic future. "We look forward to embellishing the new building, which is going to be doing what the auto industry should have been doing 20 years ago," he said, explaining that it will be advancing alternative energy and fuel efficiency technology.
Danto, 89, a former WSU engineering student, is chairman and CEO of Danto Investment Company in Troy, founder and owner of the Michigan Design Center in Troy, and former CEO and chairman of Englanders, a fine furniture and interior design chain in Michigan and Florida. He and Betty reside in Bloomfield Hills.
Groundbreaking for the $27.3 million engineering center is expected to take place sometime this fall. The new three-story structure will adjoin the existing main engineering building along Warren Avenue, and accommodate educational programs, research and development in the growth fields of biotech, nano-science and alternative energy technology.
The Wayne First event, held under an intense sun, was punctuated with a student band and two very talented artists -- one sculpting Old Main in sand, the other finger painting Old Main on a giant canvas.
Before the formal program on the main stage, students, faculty, staff and guests walked about various tents displaying standout research projects, educational programs, and descriptions of the university's four major construction projects.
Also on display was the WSU Police F-Cell car that will be used as a police supervisor vehicle on campus as well as a learning tool for Alternative Energy Technology students.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Danto, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Damon Keith, and former UPN television anchor Amyre Makupson, who served as the emcee, joined President Irvin D. Reid on the stage to express their support for Wayne State.
"Our state will survive and thrive because of the graduates of our universities," Granholm said, distinguishing Wayne State for its efforts to commercialize vital research and its relationship with Techtown and NextEnergy.
"In the 21st century, no public institution can flourish without private support," said Reid. The campaign is about "raising Wayne State to the top of its class" and "transforming the character of campus life", he added.
The Wayne First goal is to reach $500 million in donations by 2009. Wayne State employees have raised $8 million of the $320 collected as of this date. Of the $500 million, 20 percent will go to buildings, 30 percent to endowments, and 50 percent to support scholarships.
Besides the Marvin Danto Engineering Center, construction projects at Wayne State University are: