Dr. Wilson: One of the distinct aspects
that gives Wayne State its uniqueness is its
sense of mission. It's located in an urban
environment with a heavily minority
population. The urban mission has a num-
ber of facets. On the medical side, it's an
opportunity to focus on populations that
are typically underserved, populations that
typically don't get into clinical trials and
other research studies for chronic diseases
like diabetes, obesity, etc.
Other aspects include the public school
system — in urban environments that's
much more of a challenge and that's
certainly the case here in Detroit. It also
includes the environment — things like
urban blight and social decay. Our stu-
dents have the opportunity to gain an
understanding of different socioeconomic
factors and focus on our environment and
making this a better place for people to
live, work and play.
Gaining that kind of perspective and
real-world knowledge, being in a place
like this where you're immersed in an
urban environment and trying to be part
of the solution presents opportunities for
students and faculty members who want
to make a difference and improve people's
lives. Detroit is the place to be if you really
want to make an impact.
JN: What have you been most pleasantly
surprised about coming to Detroit and
Wayne State? What are some things that
will require more time, thought and atten-
tion than you expected?
Dr. Wilson: I've been most pleasantly
surprised with the quality of our perform-
ing arts, theater and music. I really wasn't
expecting that, but we really have a first-class
operation. I just really enjoy seeing the stu-
dents, and they're so talented. I attended a
dance performance at the Kennedy Center in
New York, and it was a competition with 300
universities. I know I'm biased, but I have
to say we were the best. The arts have been
totally underappreciated.
Wayne State does have a reputation for
being a national research university, so I
expected that I wasn't going to have to pay
too much attention to that — but, I am hav-
ing to spend more time on that than I antici-
pated due to state budget cuts. Over the last
five years, we've lost $35.6 million in state
appropriations. We've under-invested in our
infrastructure, and the culture has changed
and I don't think we've kept up with that.
JN: Where do you see Wayne State in five
years and what's most important to accom-
plish in that time?
Dr. Wilson: Our ultimate goal is to be
the preeminent public urban research uni-
versity in the country. So, there are a lot of
things we need to accomplish. We have an
opportunity with the new 200,000-square-
foot medical building (the Multidisciplinary
Biomedical Research Building) on
Woodward Avenue, which is under con-
struction right now and will open in about
a year. It's our largest-ever construction
project.
We can become a model of urban com-
munity research excellence. In order to do
that though, we have to do a much better
job of graduating students. We have a laser-
like focus on that. We've hired a lot of advis-
ers, we're developing an office for diversity
and creating a senior-level position that
focuses on strengthening our advising sys-
tem. We're taking a hard look at curriculum
and placing a great amount of emphasis in
that area. We're continuing to take a look at
best practices and implementing changes as
more research reveals the different practices
that will be helpful in attaining our goals.
IN: The Detroit Jewish community has a
legacy of philanthropy at WSU. What is it
about the relationship between Wayne State
and the Jewish community and what steps
are being taken to retain/strengthen it?
Dr. Wilson: The Jewish community
and Wayne State have had a longstand-
ing relationship. Wayne has always been a
welcoming place for people of different reli-
gions and ethnicities. We've had a special
relationship [with the Jewish community]
in the past and many generous contribu-
tions have been made because of that. The
relationship is still there; I think we have to
continue to work hard to make sure Wayne
is the welcoming place for Jewish people it's
always been.
We're proud of our Cohn-Haddow Center
for Judaic Studies — it's an important
resource to the university and the larger
community. Howard Lupovitch is our
director; he took over in June 2013. We're
putting a significant amount of funds into
renovating and expanding our Hillel space
on the sixth floor of the student center. That
work should be completed this spring.
We have a long history of international
partnerships including a medical exchange
program with three universities in Israel.
Over the last six months, eight of our stu-
dents have gone to study in Israel and we've
received Israeli students here. All in all, I
think there's been a very strong historical
connection to the Jewish community and
we need to continue to work to keep that
connection strong.
❑
Itzhak Perlman,
violin
John Root, piano
Sunday, September 14, 6 pm [NOTE START TIME]
Hill Auditorium
Beloved for his charm as well as his talent, Itzhak Perlman is treasured by
audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable
artistry but also to his irrepressible joy for making music. Born in Israel
in 1945, Perlman came to New York as a teenager and was propelled to
national recognition with an appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in 1958.
He subsequently attended The Juilliard School and over the past 50 years
has established himself as a cultural icon and a household name in classical
music. Over the past decade, he has become increasingly devoted to both
conducting and to music education, but it is as a recitalist that Ann Arbor
audiences know him best, with 10 UMS concerts since his debut in 1970.
Programs to be announced.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Last chance to subscribe.
SPONSORED BY:
UMS subscribers refuse to let life get in the way of great nights on the
KeyBank
SUPPORTED BY:
MEDIA PARTNERS
Drs. Max Wicha and Sheila Crowley,
WGTE 91.3 FM and WRCJ 90.9 FM
Richard and Susan Gutow,
town. They have seats that are theirs and theirs alone. They've locked in
and McMullen Properties and Tom
the lowest prices of the season. They are the VIPs of UMS.
and Debby McMullen
The last day to order UMS Subscription Packages for the 2014-2015
season is Friday, September 12. With packages for Jazz, Global Music,
Dance, Theater, Classical Music, and even a DIY option for the eclectic
culture lovers among us, there really is something for everyone.
Order today: 734.764.2538 or ums.org
UMS
BE PRESENT
UMS.ORG / 734.764.2538
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN j ANN ARBOR
1935910
August 28 • 2014
51