Ilitch School Gala

Save the date: Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Ilitch School Gala is a community celebration that includes a ceremony for Distinguished Faculty Awards, Sue Garr Innovative Teaching Award, Staff Excellence Awards in addition to the 25 Under 25 student awards. All students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the school are encouraged to attend this annual spring black tie event. The gala and awards celebration will be held at the Mike Ilitch School of Business on Thursday, April 17, 2025  from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase via a link on this page by the end of February. 

The 2025 gala will include a ceremony for faculty, staff and student honorees for the following awards. 

Distinguished Faculty Awards - Research, Service, Teaching

These awards recognize three Mike Ilitch School of Business faculty members for exemplary dedication to teaching, research and/or service. 

Sue Garr Innovative Teaching Award

This award recognizes an outstanding educator that demonstrates extraordinary and/or innovative efforts in teaching. The award was founded by the Sue Garr Innovative Teaching Fund, established in 2007 in memory of Sue Garr, who taught accounting at Wayne State University for more than 20 years.

Staff Excellence Award

This award recognizes members of the Ilitch School administrative staff who demonstrate exceptionalism in the workplace in one or more of the following areas: job knowledge, quality of work, teamwork, and innovation and adaptability.

25 Under 25 recognition program

Established in 2016, this award recognizes graduate and undergraduate students who have demonstrated success in at least two of the following categories: academics, leadership, professional development and/or campus/community service. To be selected, students must complete an online application. Submissions are ranked by a panel of judges comprised of executives from the business community. The online 25 Under 25 program application is open through January 16, 2025.