[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 186 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              150TH ANNIVERSARY OF WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 150th 
anniversary of Wayne State University. Located in the heart of Detroit, 
MI, Wayne State University provides world-class education and has made 
a tremendous impact on the community that surrounds it.
  In 1868, just over 30 years after the State of Michigan joined the 
Union, the development of what would become Wayne State University 
began with the establishment of the Detroit Medical College by five 
physicians who were inspired to improve medical education after their 
service in the Civil War. Following shortly thereafter, the Detroit 
Normal Training School--the predecessor of the college of education--
was founded.
  At the turn of the 20th century, the school saw rapid transformation 
and development. A change in attitudes brought on by the progressive 
movement between 1890 and 1920 impacted institutions across America. In 
1917, the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery admitted its first 
female students, as the Detroit Normal Training School began admitting 
married women. These milestones in the school's history coincided with 
the culmination of women's suffrage in the United States. In 1934, the 
Wayne University name was adopted, eventually becoming Wayne State 
University in 1956, after the Michigan State Legislature approved 
public act 183.
  Year after year, Wayne's footprint would grow to include more 
programs and opportunities for students to excel. Growth of that 
footprint included Detroit City Law School, which was founded in 1927 
and later became part of Wayne University in 1933. Moreover, as 
veterans from World War II came home and acclimated into civilian life, 
Wayne University established the office of veteran affairs to help 
veterans continue their education, enter vocational training programs, 
and transition into the workforce. With the introduction of the GI 
bill, Wayne University's programs saw it well positioned to increase 
its veteran enrollment.
  In 1950, the former central high school and main building of the 
College of the City of Detroit was renamed Old Main, becoming one of 
the City of Detroit's and Wayne University's most notable landmarks.
  The 1960s proved to be a pivotal time in American history, with the 
civil rights movement and the Vietnam war serving as the backdrop of 
the public's conscience, ushering in a new era of barrier breaking 
civic engagement. Throughout the 1960s, Wayne State University 
continued to build on its rich tradition of progressivism by 
establishing the office of counseling for the handicapped, the center 
for urban studies, and covering pertinent social issues in the school 
newspaper.
  Continuing to build on its record of success, Wayne State launched 
doctoral programs in the college of pharmacy and college of nursing, 
and established the college of urban, labor, and metropolitan affairs, 
and college of fine and performing arts. In 1994, Wayne State was 
recognized for its research and was classified as a Research I 
university by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
  Ever mindful of its position within the community as a bridge for 
stakeholders across all fields of endeavor, Wayne State has forged 
numerous partnerships to empower the community and its students to 
succeed in a rapidly changing world. In 2004, the first phase of 
TechTown was completed, which brought Wayne State together with the 
Henry Ford Health System and General Motors to support entrepreneurship 
and technological advancement. In 2013, Wayne State named M. Roy Wilson 
as president of the university, and he has continued this rich legacy 
of community partnerships.
  Throughout its 150-year history, Wayne State University has fostered 
an environment of innovation, inclusion, and community. The university 
is deeply rooted in the city of Detroit and has been an indispensable 
partner in the city's development and renewal. I am proud to be a law 
school alumnus and am certain that Wayne State will continue to succeed 
in its mission to cultivate the Warrior Strong leaders of tomorrow. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this important milestone in 
the history of Wayne State University as it celebrates its 
sesquicentennial.

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