Made possible by a $40 million gift from Mike and Marian Ilitch, the opening of the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University was celebrated on Aug. 21. The gift was the largest in the school’s history, and highlights Mike and Marian Ilitch’s lifelong dedication to promoting entrepreneurship, education and the revitalization of Detroit.

When choosing to major in history, it doesn’t get much better than studying in a city known for its historic architecture. History students Kenneth Alyass and Andrea Ozanich are doing just that. In preparation for their futures after graduating from Wayne State University, Alyass and Ozanich are both gaining experience by interning at historic homes in the Detroit area.

Wayne State University has successfully reached the $750 million goal for its comprehensive fundraising campaign, Pivotal Moments: Our Campaign for Wayne State University, early. Alumni and friends will still have time to participate as the campaign moves toward its targeted close date of September 30, 2018.

Board by board, house by house, a village made by and for the people it will serve is being born on Detroit’s west side, and the School of Medicine is an integral part of the development. Yellowstone Street, at Elmhurst Avenue on Detroit's west side, is the site of Auntie Na’s House, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that will soon include a new student-run health clinic aimed at women’s health and wellness. The clinic will be located on the first floor of a home across the street from the original site now being renovated by members of the Auntie Na student organization.

A lot has changed since the last time he was on campus, but Johnathan Williams is excited to find his way back to Wayne State this fall. Williams, 46, is the first student to re-enroll through the university’s Warrior Way Back program, a novel approach to re-engage students who left the university with debt but no degree. The program offers former students with an outstanding balance the opportunity to re-enroll and “learn” away their past debt and earn their degree.

Looking out at Detroit from the rooftop garden she manages at the Green Garage, a business incubator just off campus, undergrad Grace Fusani is in her element. She coordinates the operations of the rooftop and alley gardens, composting and recycling efforts, and the sale of herbs and edible flowers used on the menus of local restaurants.