Today@Wayne 2025 year in review

Wayne State University advanced its mission in powerful ways throughout 2025 - earning major accolades, launching transformative initiatives, elevating student success, and driving research and innovation across disciplines. Today@Wayne chronicled it all - take a look back at some of 2025's highlights:

January

Governors Sunny Reddy (left) and Michael Busuito (right) took the oath of office at a ceremony on Jan. 16 including friends, family and dignitaries, including Michigan Senator Jim Runestad (center).

In January, the Wayne State University Board of Governors installed Dr. Michael Busuito and Sunny Reddy, launched the Data Literacy Institute quality initiative as part of the accreditation process, and hosted its 25th annual celebration of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Editor's pick: Educational Transition Coordination program's first graduate hopes to inspire others who have been incarcerated

February

Wayne State raised the eligibility threshold for the Wayne State Guarantee tuition pledge from $70,000 to $80,000, expanding access to thousands more Michigan families.

In February, Wayne State retained its prestigious Carnegie research designation, expanded access to higher education even further by raising the eligibility threshold for the Wayne State Guarantee Tuition Pledge, celebrated the fifth anniversary and ongoing impact of the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge, and reported an increase in overall enrollment compared to the previous winter semester.

Editor's pick: Grosscup Museum of Anthropology makes collections publicly accessible with new digital database

March

Warriors gave back through Alternative Spring Break Detroit, with 32 students dedicating more than 800 hours to community service at 24 sites across Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. At 99.4%, the match rate for the School of Medicine students who participated in this year's match on March 21 was nearly 6% higher than the national average of 93.5%.

Students transformed communities through the annual Alternative Spring Break Detroit program and the School of Medicine celebrated a 99.4% match rate, with more than half of the class going to residencies in Michigan. Researchers made strides in the safety of self-driving cars and drones and searched for insights into the onset of diabetes. The School of Social Work celebrated its 90th anniversary, the College of Nursing marked 80 years of excellence, and the Carl Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy commemorated a decade of civic discourse and impact.

Editor's picks: Study finds therapy dogs reduce child anxiety and need for medication in ER, WSU OPEN's rapid rise is connecting our innovation and driving prosperity for our community

April

Wayne State University launched Student Success 2.0: Every Warrior Rises this spring. Alumnus James A. Anderson (BSCE '66, MSCE '70) and his wife, Patricia, made a $50 million gift to the university to accelerate research, entrepreneurship and student success in the College of Engineering, which was renamed in their honor.

Wayne State received its largest single gift, a transformative $50 million from alumnus James A. Anderson and his wife, Patricia, for the College of Engineering; in recognition of this historic investment, the college was renamed the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering. The university launched its Student Success 2.0 initiative to propel graduation rates and career success and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly renovated Student Success Hub. As the semester concluded, the university celebrated faculty and staff at its annual Academic Recognition Ceremony and the Board of Governors presented its annual Faculty Recognition Awards.

Editor's picks: Wayne State startup developing new treatments for cancer, heart disease and more, Wayne State leads landmark cultural history study in The District Detroit

May

Almost half of the Class of 2025 were first-generation college students.

In May, more than 3,000 Warriors graduated and WSU awarded honorary degrees to Dr. Larry Brilliant and Jamie and Dr. Denise Jacob for their remarkable contributions. Junior Jonathan Teh was named Wayne State's first Udall Scholar for his environmental leadership, and a multimedia exhibition at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery honored the work and life of Amp Fiddler.

Editor's pick: A Warrior's path forged in steel and engineering in Detroit

June

In June, Wayne State announced a partnership with Google Public Sector to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and launched an ongoing refresh of its strategic plan. WSU was named among the top 1.7% of universities worldwide by the Center for World University Rankings.

Editor's picks: Ilitch School students expand their business perspective through global learning experiences, Q&A: Dr. Bernard J. Costello on leading a new era of Health Affairs at Wayne State

July

The forthcoming women's soccer team, announced July 16, The women's soccer team will play on the lit turf field adjacent to Tom Adams Field, with improvements planned to enhance the overall training and game-day experience for athletes and fans.

In July, Wayne State announced the addition of a women's varsity soccer team - the university's first new varsity sport in more than a decade - slated to begin competing in the 2026-27 season. The School of Medicine welcomed 299 new students in the M.D. class of 2029, and Warriors had a strong presence in the annual Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Awards in Visual Arts. The university launched its new Prison Education Program and continued work to modernize operations through ongoing space planning assessments.

Editor's pick: Groundbreaking study confirms stuttering's genetic roots

August

The university marked the start of the academic year with a full schedule of Fall Opening activities, highlighted by both longstanding campus traditions and new events.

In August, Wayne State celebrated the start of the fall semester with a vibrant Fall Opening and marked an enrollment increase with more than 24,000 new and returning students. The university welcomed 70 new accomplished faculty and hosted its inaugural Academic Senate orientation. WSU launched a $4.3 million upgrade of Keast Commons and Warriors stole the show at the 2025 Detroit Jazz Festival. Researchers worked to improve MRI efficacy and improve the quality of life for those with diabetes.

Editor's picks: Warriors score big with exclusive Detroit City Football Club internships, Former student Roger Shires, 77, receives degree more than 20 years after leaving WSU

September

Wayne State broke ground on the Health Sciences Reserach Building on Sept. 9. The transformative, $200 million, 160,000-square-foot facility will drive next-generation opportunities for innovation, collaboration and community engagement.

In September, Wayne State marked a major milestone in its mission to advance health and scientific discovery with the groundbreaking of the state-of-the-art Health Sciences Research Building. The Division of Research & Innovation launched the Grand Challenges research initiative to solidify WSU's commitment to solving society's most urgent challenges through research and cross-disciplinary collaboration. WSU retained its ranking among the U.S. News & World Report's top 100 public universities, and launched the Warriors on the Rise assured admission program for eligible Detroit Public Schools Community District students. The Board of Governors appointed Richard A. Bierschbach as interim president.

Editor's pick: In its seventh year, WSU's Center for Behavioral Health and Justice sees growing impact

October

WSU honored faculty and staff who keep the institution thriving and moving forward at its annual Employee Recognition Ceremony on Oct. 21.

In October, WSU closed its biggest fundraising year in history and the Board of Governors approved the Institute for AI and DAta Science, along with other campus upgrades. The Division of Academic Affairs announced the awardees of the WSU Program Assessment Grants and TechTown unveiled a new brand identity. Alumnus Dr. Jason McLellan was named a MacArthur Fellow for his leadership in vaccine development, the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts honored outstanding alumni and community members at the 46th Annual Arts Achievement Awards, and Human Resources honored more than 1,200 faculty and staff at its annual Employee Recognition Ceremony.

Editor's picks: Academic Advisor Arnelle Douglas, 80, has spent more than half a century shepherding students toward success, Q&A: Dr. Ezemenari M. Obasi on the Grand Challenges initiative

November

The Warriors (24-5) capped a breakthrough season by winning the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament championship on Nov. 23

In November, the volleyball team made history, winning its first-ever Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship after a breakthrough season. The 2025 College to Career Presidential Pilot and Impact Award winners were announced and the new Career Ready path was launched as a resource for students in Get Involved. The WSU Bookstore kicked off its next chapter with a new partner and the Art Collection and Galleries were awarded the Joyce Foundation's 2025 Creative Impact Award. Researchers pushed forward work about AI reliability and next-generation batteries.

Editor's pick: Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program helps student find her path in conservation

December

Interim President Richard A. Bierschbach, KVCC Provost Paige Eagan, and Kalamazoo Promise Senior Director Coty Dunten officially signed the historic K2W pathway agreement on Dec. 3.

As the year wrapped up, Wayne State celebrated the class of 2025 and continued preparations for its 2026 HLC accreditation site visit. The university announced a streamlined Kalamazoo-to-WSU transfer pathway and scholars launched a groundbreaking study exploring the use of cannabis as potential therapy for veterans with PTSD and depression. Dr. Keith E. Whitfield was named interim provost and senior vice president of academic affairs.

Editor's pick: Astronomers capture unprecedented view of neutron star environment