Wayne State University receives record $50 million gift to transform engineering college

Wayne State University’s historic $50 million gift from alumnus James Anderson and his wife Patricia marks the largest single donation in the institution’s 157-year history, surpassing previous records. The transformative contribution will rename the school’s engineering department as the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering, positioning it to become “Detroit’s engineering school” while accelerating research in mobility, energy storage, and artificial intelligence—a significant investment in both the university and the future of Michigan’s engineering talent pipeline.

The big picture: Wayne State University has received a record-breaking $50 million donation from alumnus James Anderson and his wife Patricia to enhance its engineering programs and research capabilities.

• The gift, announced Friday, will rename the institution as the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering and serve as the lead contribution in the university’s upcoming fundraising campaign.
• This donation surpasses the previous record held by Mike and Marian Ilitch and comes from Anderson, the 80-year-old president and CEO of Urban Science, a Detroit-based automotive consultancy with 20 global offices.

How the funds will be used: The donation will support multiple strategic initiatives focused on engineering research and talent development.

• The gift will drive research in mobility, energy storage, artificial intelligence, and other emerging fields by funding faculty positions and doctoral fellowships.
• It will enhance undergraduate student experiences and establish a dean’s fund to recruit top faculty and Ph.D. students.
• This builds upon the couple’s previous philanthropy, which included creating the James and Patricia Anderson Engineering Ventures Institute in 2014 to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Why this matters: The historic donation represents a significant investment in Detroit’s future as a hub for engineering talent and innovation.

• WSU President Kimberly Andrews Espy emphasized that the renamed college “will be known as Detroit’s engineering school, setting a new standard of discovery and invention for generations.”
• Anderson noted the gift aims to “create new opportunities for high-paying STEM careers, foster innovation and drive progress in the Motor City and beyond.”

What’s next: Wayne State University plans to publicly launch its broader fundraising campaign in fall 2026, with the Anderson gift serving as the cornerstone of its “silent phase.”