Wayne State University hosted its annual Investors Luncheon to recognize donors of named endowed funds. More than 160 alumni, friends, faculty and staff attended the event, which also included a report on the university's endowment. View photos from the event.

David Ripple, vice president for Development and Alumni Affairs, led the luncheon program, welcoming guests and expressing thanks. "Your support strengthens our university, providing resources for our students, our programs and our faculty," he said. "So on behalf of Wayne State, please accept our sincerest gratitude for your generosity."

Ripple reported that donors established 49 new endowed funds, and total university philanthropy equaled $87.3 million during fiscal year 2013-an increase of 39 percent over last year.

Joining in expressing gratitude was Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson. President Wilson spoke of the importance of the university's endowment in providing stability as well as support for growth and excellence. He also talked about a strong endowment as an important tool in achieving Wayne State's vision to become the nation's pre-eminent public urban research university.

Wayne State University's vice president for Finance and Business Operations, Rick Nork, shared news about the university's endowment. As of June 30, 2013, the Wayne State University endowment totaled $277 million. The annual return for the year was 10.5 percent. Over the past three years, the return averaged 8.7 percent. Learn more about the Wayne State University endowment.

Nork credited the positive growth to a healthier outlook on the economy, prudent financial management and the continued investment of Wayne State donors. He also thanked those who help guide the endowment to positive growth over the long term. "I would like to recognize the efforts of the members of our Wayne State University Foundation Board Investment Committee, and my colleagues in the Office of Finance and Business Operations at Wayne State," Nork said. "As is reflected in this year's numbers, they do a remarkable job and we appreciate their hard work."

Also part of the program, Wayne State University College of Education alumna and donor Anne Stricker '52 spoke about her inspiration to give back. "So many people give so much to this institution, and I love it more than I can say." Stricker shared that Wayne State University made it possible for her to attend college and earn a degree. "I am so grateful to Wayne State University for being such a quality institution," she said. "I could get a good education just by taking a few buses. We need to provide that for students today."

Stricker established the Emanuel Raymond Stricker, DDS, and Anne Barrett Stricker Endowed Scholarship. Her late husband Emanuel Stricker also was a Wayne State alumnus, having received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences.

The luncheon concluded with remarks from College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student Nicholas Rivera. In his third year at Wayne State, Rivera is studying psychology; he is a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) on campus, and has received several scholarships including the Wayne State University Green Scholarship and the Henry M. Selden Award.

Rivera shared his gratitude for the scholarships he has received, as well as for university resources such as the Mort Harris Recreation Center and the University Libraries. "I use these facilities literally on a daily basis, and honestly I can't imagine what I would do without them," he said. "We are Wayne State University, one of the best in the world. And while our knowledge comes from our top rated professors and researchers, how could we function without the records of the past and a portal toward current research taking place all over the world?"

Rivera concluded by expressing thanks on behalf of Wayne State's students. "I can't account for all of them, our 29,000 strong," he said, "but I can tell you that your gifts and endowments make education possible for a lot of people who are just like me."

(Posted on November 7, 2013)