Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
Esteemed alumnus James A. Anderson (B.S.C.E. ’66, M.S.C.E. ’70) and his wife, Patricia, have made a $50 million gift to Wayne State University to advance excellence in the College of Engineering by accelerating research and entrepreneurship, and promoting student success. This gift is the single largest in Wayne State’s 157-year history and will serve as the cornerstone of the university's upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign.
In recognition of their generosity, the college has been named the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering.
This gift is transformative for Wayne State's engineering faculty, staff and students, enhancing success at all levels. The gift will be focused on faculty support, including doctoral fellowships, undergraduate student experiences and a dean’s fund, which under the leadership of Dean Ali Abolmaali, will empower the college to recruit more top faculty and Ph.D. students, driving faculty research in mobility, battery and energy, AI and more. The gift will also strengthen student initiatives, creating a direct line between students and life-changing careers that drive economic growth and innovation in our city and state.
Their incredible generosity reflects Jim and Patti’s belief in what is being done and achieved at Wayne State, advanced and underscored by the university's Prosperity Agenda. Their gift ensures that WSU graduates will power the future of Detroit and Michigan’s economy into the next era of innovation -- and will support Wayne State's accomplished faculty to nurture their ideas into solutions and thriving businesses.
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan. Home to 13 schools and colleges, Wayne State offers more than 375 academic programs at all levels, from undergraduate to doctorates. The university is committed to accelerating mobility, empowering health and fueling innovation for students and the Detroit region. Through its Grand Challenges initiative, Wayne State research is addressing some of society's most daunting issues — from health disparities and climate change to AI ethics and mobility access.
Connect with Wayne State University online: https://go.wayne.edu/surprise
Connect with Wayne State University online:
Visit the Wayne State University WEBSITE: https://go.wayne.edu/surprise
Like Wayne State University on FACEBOOK: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-facebook
Follow Wayne State University on X: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-x
Follow Wayne State University on Instagram: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-instagram
Follow Wayne State University on LinkedIn: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-linkedin
Follow Wayne State University on TikTok: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-tiktok
Esteemed alumnus James A. Anderson (B.S.C.E. ’66, M.S.C.E. ’70) and his wife, Patricia, have made a $50 million gift to Wayne State University to advance excellence in the College of Engineering by accelerating research and entrepreneurship, and promoting student success. This gift is the single largest in Wayne State’s 157-year history and will serve as the cornerstone of the university's upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign.
In recognition of their generosity, the college has been named the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering.
This gift is transformative for Wayne State's engineering faculty, staff and students, enhancing success at all levels. The gift will be focused on faculty support, including doctoral fellowships, undergraduate student experiences and a dean’s fund, which under the leadership of Dean Ali Abolmaali, will empower the college to recruit more top faculty and Ph.D. students, driving faculty research in mobility, battery and energy, AI and more. The gift will also strengthen student initiatives, creating a direct line between students and life-changing careers that drive economic growth and innovation in our city and state.
Their incredible generosity reflects Jim and Patti’s belief in what is being done and achieved at Wayne State, advanced and underscored by the university's Prosperity Agenda. Their gift ensures that WSU graduates will power the future of Detroit and Michigan’s economy into the next era of innovation -- and will support Wayne State's accomplished faculty to nurture their ideas into solutions and thriving businesses.
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan. Home to 13 schools and colleges, Wayne State offers more than 375 academic programs at all levels, from undergraduate to doctorates. The university is committed to accelerating mobility, empowering health and fueling innovation for students and the Detroit region. Through its Grand Challenges initiative, Wayne State research is addressing some of society's most daunting issues — from health disparities and climate change to AI ethics and mobility access.
Connect with Wayne State University online: https://go.wayne.edu/surprise
Connect with Wayne State University online:
Visit the Wayne State University WEBSITE: https://go.wayne.edu/surprise
Like Wayne State University on FACEBOOK: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-facebook
Follow Wayne State University on X: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-x
Follow Wayne State University on Instagram: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-instagram
Follow Wayne State University on LinkedIn: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-linkedin
Follow Wayne State University on TikTok: https://go.wayne.edu/follow-tiktok
