C&G Newspapers: Detroit celebrates ribbon cutting of WSU’s Mike Ilitch School of Business

VIPs and members of the Detroit community gathered together Aug. 21 to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Wayne State University’s new Mike Ilitch School of Business. School administrators said the new building and new resources will allow far more opportunities for Detroit college students. “There are two things that set this place apart: our focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, and our focus on sports and entertainment management,” said M. Roy Wilson, Wayne State University president. “Not a lot of schools can focus on those areas as we can because of our cooperation with the Ilitch organization.” The university’s administrators stressed how important it was that the business school be designed from the ground up to be open and accessible to the community. They wanted the school to be a part of the community and the students at the school to have access to the community. “Being located among the business community is a big thing,” said Robert Forsythe, dean of the business school. “(Students) can walk out the door and go to their internships. We are the only business school in the country within walking distance of sports and entertainment venues like this.” Forsythe said he is proud to have the new building completed and ready for classes to begin Aug. 29, but he said the most important thing is that it will be another tool local students can use to better themselves. “We want to use this building to highlight our students,” said Forsythe. “A lot of them are the first in their family to go to college, so they’re not entitled. They want to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, and this will help them do that.” Wilson said he hopes the school will be able to live up to the business skill, entrepreneurial attitude and giving spirit its namesake was known for. “We want to use Mike Ilitch as an inspiration, so my advice to students is to be like Mike,” said Wilson. “I’m sure Mike Ilitch is looking down on this building and is pleased; but if I know him, the thing he’s most pleased with is the students who will be learning from his example.”

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