Wayne State College of Engineering Given $25M Donation

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DETROIT — The College of Engineering at Wayne State University has announced a $25 million gift from alumnus James A. Anderson and his wife, Patricia, to bolster the entrepreneurial efforts of engineering and computer science faculty and students and drive Detroit’s economic renewal.

The investment will establish the James and Patricia Anderson Engineering Ventures Institute to foster a culture of entrepreneurship by offering expert guidance and resources for faculty and students during the startup process. Embedded within the College of Engineering, the institute will encourage faculty to envision commercial applications for new technology, secure patents and establish new companies. The institute will also provide mentors to aspiring student entrepreneurs and teach best practices in research innovation, technology transfer and commercialization.

“Jim Anderson is one of the most admired entrepreneurs in Detroit,” said Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson. “He began his career at Wayne State before he founded his company, Urban Science. By establishing the Anderson Institute, he and Patti are empowering our engineering and computer science faculty and students to follow in his footsteps and turn their ideas into businesses.”

Anderson is president and CEO of Urban Science, a global automotive retail consulting firm headquartered in Detroit, with more than 850 employees in 19 offices around the world.