Photo Caption: James and Patricia Anderson stand with WSU President Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy.
Wayne State University just received its largest-ever donation – a $50 million gift made possible by the gracious donation of Wayne State University alumnus James A. Anderson (BSCE ’66, MSCE ’70) and his wife, Patricia.
The gift to the university will accelerate research, entrepreneurship, and student success in the College of Engineering, and in recognition of the historic investment, the college will be renamed the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering.
It is the largest single gift in Wayne State’s 157-year history and represents a lead gift for the university’s upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign, expected to launch in fall 2026. This transformative gift will be focused on faculty support, including doctoral fellowships, undergraduate student experiences and a dean’s fund, which will empower the college to recruit more top faculty and Ph.D. students, driving faculty research in mobility, energy storage, AI, and other rapidly growing fields. The gift will also strengthen student initiatives, creating a direct line between students and life-changing careers that drive economic growth and innovation, as reflected in the university’s Prosperity Agenda. “With Jim and Patti’s passion for engineering and entrepreneurship, and their enduring commitment to Wayne State, it is fitting that the college will now be named for two of our greatest advocates,” said Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy, Wayne State’s president. “We will build on more than a century of engineering talent that created a culture of innovation in our city, and the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering will be known as Detroit’s engineering school, setting a new standard of discovery and invention for generations.” James Anderson is president and CEO of Urban Science, a leading automotive consultancy and technology firm headquartered in Detroit, with 20 offices around the world. His career began in 1967 as an instructor at the College of Engineering, where he developed environmental models and computer mapping techniques to display data – foundational elements of his firm’s business model aimed at creating cohesion and clarity for
automakers and their dealers, and the AdTech firms that support them, in even the most ambiguous market conditions. “Since my time as a student, and later a faculty member, at Wayne State University, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of a quality STEM education in transforming lives, economies and communities,” said James Anderson. “My wife, Patricia, and I are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to expand our commitment to this renowned institution – a world-class training ground for Detroit’s next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. We’re confident this gift will continue to create new opportunities for high-paying STEM careers, foster innovation and drive progress in the Motor City and beyond, and we’re honored to work alongside WSU’s esteemed leadership to bring it to fruition.” In 2014, the Andersons established The James and Patricia Anderson Engineering Ventures Institute at WSU’s College of Engineering. The institute fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students and faculty envisioning commercial applications for new technology, securing patents and establishing startups while providing opportunities for students to learn best practices in applied research, technology commercialization and business creation. “We are grateful for this gift, which arrives at a moment when our existing work meets innovation to create an unparalleled future opportunity,” said James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering Dean Ali Abolmaali, Ph.D., P.E. “Jim and Patti recognize the huge leap this college can take. With their help, we will bridge knowledge and instruction with student success for generations to come. This remarkable gift will establish a dynamic hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Anderson Engineering to serve Detroit, the state of Michigan and communities beyond.”
Wayne State plays a crucial role in Michigan being one of the leading states for engineers. Michigan employs more mechanical and industrial engineers than any other state and has more engineers per capita than any state in the country.
The Andersons’ gift will help ensure that Michigan – and specifically Detroit – continues to produce top engineering talent for in-demand, high-paying industries across the state, region, and country. Additionally, Michigan is home to one of the nation’s top research collectives. WSU joins Michigan and Michigan State to form the state’s University Research Corridor, which, for every $1 the state has invested into the collaborative, has put back $24 into the state economy through not only research but also education and innovation activities, jobs created, and in-state spending of its 152,000 students and 755,000 resident
alumni. The URC’s net annual economic impact is $23.9 billion, reaching every county in the state.
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