WSU Foundation

The Wayne State University Foundation was established by the university’s Board of Governors in 2000 as a centralized means to encourage and manage financial support from private sources. The foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. Though independent of the university, it partners with the Division of Development and Alumni Affairs in realizing Wayne State’s overall advancement objectives. 

The foundation is governed by a board of directors made up of prominent business and community leaders. It is led by a chair chosen from among these individuals and a president who also holds the university title of vice president for development and alumni affairs. 

Working together, the Wayne State University Foundation and the Division of Development and Alumni Affairs cultivate private support to advance the university’s mission. Funds raised enable Wayne State to offer undergraduate and graduate student scholarships, endow faculty chairs and professorships, advance academic and scientific programs and research, and enhance the campus infrastructure. During fiscal year 2023, Wayne State University raised more than $103.2 million in new gifts and pledges from more than 18,800 donors. 

The Wayne State University Foundation includes an investment committee that assists the board with all investment-related decisions, including oversight of the university’s endowment. As of September 30, 2023, the end of the last reporting period, the endowment totaled $507.7 million. Earned income from the endowment provides funding for donor-identified purposes in perpetuity. Nearly two-thirds of the endowment at Wayne State is designated for student and faculty support. 

The generous contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations are an essential supplement to state appropriations, tuition and research-related income. These gifts supply the critical margin that enables Wayne State to excel in its educational mission and to enhance its public service.

See the Wayne State University Foundation Statement of Investment Policy for more information.

Foundation Board of Directors

Quincy Allen

Quincy Allen/> Managing Partner
Arc Capital Partners LLC

James Anderson

James Anderson Chair, Wayne State University Foundation Board Of Directors
President
Urban Science Applications, Inc.

Eugene Applebaum

Eugene Applebaum 1936-2017
In memory of an innovator, leader, advocate and friend

Quincy Allen
Quincy Allen

Managing Partner
Arc Capital Partners LLC

James Anderson

James Anderson

Chair, Wayne State University Foundation Board Of Directors
President
Urban Science Applications, Inc.

Eugene Applebaum
Eugene Applebaum

1936-2017
In memory of an innovator, leader, advocate and friend

Dr. Regina Baker
Dr. Regina Baker

President, Wayne State University Alumni Association
Special Education Consultant
Wayne County Regional Education Service Agency (Wayne RESA)

Linda M. Beale
Linda M. Beale

Professor of Law, Wayne Law
President, Wayne State University Academic Senate

Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy
Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D.

President
Wayne State University

Bethany Gielczyk
Bethany Gielczyk

Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
Treasurer, Wayne State University Foundation
Wayne State University

Elizabeth Goldsberry
Elizabeth Goldsberry

Chief Risk and Operations Officer
The Kresge Foundation

Kolleen Kennedy
Kolleen Kennedy

Retired President, Oncology Systems and Corporate Executive Vice President
Varian Medical Systems

Terri Lynn Land
Terri Lynn Land

Member
Wayne State University Board of Governors

Denise J. Lewis
Denise J. Lewis

Retired Partner
Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP

David Ripple
David Ripple

President, Wayne State University Foundation Board
Vice President, Development and Alumni Affairs, Wayne State University

Susan Telang
Susan Telang

Chief Financial Officer
Carhartt Inc.

Angelo Vitale
Angelo Vitale

Retired General Counsel
Rocket Companies

Neco Walker
Neco Walker

Secretary
Wayne State University Foundation Board of Directors

Sean Werdlow
Sean Werdlow

Senior Managing Director, Siebert, Williams Shank & Co., LLC
and President and CEO, Eminence Partners

Trustees Council

Pamela Applebaum
Pamela Applebaum

CEO and President, Applebaum Ventures
President, The Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Family Foundation

David Sowerby
David Sowerby

Managing Director and Portfolio Manager
Ancora

Directors Emeritus

Joy Baxt
Joy Baxt

Nurse Educator

Arthur Bryant
Arthur Bryant

Mayor
City of Grosse Pointe Woods

Walter Douglas
Walter Douglas

Chairman
Avis Ford, Inc.

Yousif Ghafari
Yousif Ghafari

Chairman
Ghafari Associates, LLC

Paul Glantz
Paul Glantz

Co-founder and Chairman
Emagine Entertainment, Inc.

David M. Hempstead
David M. Hempstead

Member
Bodman PLC

No Photo
Peter Karmanos

Chairman and Co-founder
MadDog Technology

David Meador
David Meador

Retired Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer
DTE Energy Company

David Salzman
David Salzman

Hollywood Executive and Producer

A. Paul Schaap
A. Paul Schaap

Founder
Lumigen, Inc.

John Schwarz, M.D.
John Schwarz, M.D.

Former U.S. Congressman
7th District of Michigan

Frederick Sievert
Frederick Sievert

Retired President
New York Life Insurance Company

Stephen Strome
Stephen Strome

Retired Chairman and CEO
Handleman Company