DETROIT - The Wayne State University Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED) is proud to announce the renovation of two art classrooms, powered by a donation of furniture and design services from MillerKnoll, the MillerKnoll Foundation, and American Interiors.

New chairs, tables, desks, and more promise to transform and modernize the atmosphere of the two classrooms, providing a top-tier space for students and faculty to learn, create, and thrive. The classrooms, located in Wayne State's landmark Old Main building, are currently used for interior design and digital arts education.

Members of DEED and MillerKnoll - alongside peers from the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts (CFPCA) and American Interiors - celebrated the classrooms' opening Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Old Main.

"We are thrilled to bring this transformative donation to life, one that will compliment Wayne State students' learning and our faculty's experience every time they step into these spaces," said Wayne State's Dr. Keith E. Whitfield, interim provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. "This is the culmination of several years of dynamic collaboration between MillerKnoll, American Interiors, CFPCA, and DEED, and it is a signal of Wayne State's commitment to working alongside our corporate community to provide the best learning environment for Warriors now and in the future."

"Creating spaces that inspire good work is central to what we do at MillerKnoll, which is why this partnership was a natural fit from the start," said MillerKnoll's Jereme Brown, client development executive. "This collaboration is especially meaningful because it allowed us to inspire the next generation of designers while supporting Wayne State, an institution that plays such an important role here in Detroit. We're proud of this collaboration and look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with WSU."

"This project was a true collaboration between Wayne State, MillerKnoll, and American Interiors; I'm extremely grateful to have played a role in helping bring it all together," said McKenzi Roe, account manager, American Interiors. "The university had a clear vision for supporting their students, and MillerKnoll's donation allowed their vision to become reality in a tangible way. It's rewarding to know these spaces will serve students for years to come."

The new furniture is the focal point of comprehensive upgrades to the classroom spaces, including renovations to the rooms' walls, floors, and ceilings. The work shows the university's commitment to fostering high-end spaces where people can teach, learn, and be creative, said Dr. Lauren Kalman, chair of the Department of Art, Art History, and Design.

"Having an iconic brand like MillerKnoll furnishing our classrooms shows our students, especially those in the design fields, that design makes a difference, and that the spaces they occupy are important and merit thoughtfulness. For MillerKnoll to collaborate with us in this endeavor is special," Kalman said. "These renovations demonstrate to our students and faculty how much they are valued and that MillerKnoll sees the value and potential in our institution and people. I know it will impact our students both as an inspiration for design and on an emotional and experiential level. The entire team overseeing this project wants them to feel good in these spaces."

"Wayne State graduates some of the best talent in the country in industrial and interior design. With this gift, our students will now have world-class spaces to learn and study their craft," said DEED's Danny DeRose, a 2011 CFPCA alumnus, associate director of fund development, and corporate engagement officer. "MillerKnoll's goal was to make these the best classrooms in the state of Michigan for art education at the higher level. This is a massive gift driving student success: these classrooms will live on for decades and influence thousands of students."

Beyond the furnishing of the classrooms, Kalman emphasized the value of other recent MillerKnoll-Wayne State collaborations, which include guest speakers and a particularly captivating March 3, 2025, tour that welcomed roughly 40 Wayne State students and faculty to the company's headquarters.

The tour included trips through company's Design Yard, test labs, archives, and showrooms, and a chance for students to interact with a host of MillerKnoll experts, including managers, senior designers, lab technicians, archivists, account executives, and beyond.

"I can't express how impactful the trip to the MillerKnoll campus was. Minds were blown," Kalman said. "Any opportunity to expand a student's vantage point through tours or one-on-one interactions with professionals is so meaningful, and this was an outstanding example of that."

DEED extends its heartfelt gratitude to the members of MillerKnoll, American Interiors, and CFPCA that made this donation possible, and looks forward to more impactful collaborations in the future.

Learn more about DEED, CFPCA, MillerKnoll, and American Interiors. Looking to connect with Wayne State? Reach out to WSU OPEN - the easiest, fastest way to start accessing the university's top-tier talent, knowledge and resources.

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As one of the city's largest employers and an institution with a $4.6 billion annual economic impact, Wayne State is a dynamic economic engine in the heart of Detroit. The Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED) guides, elevates and communicates Wayne State's annual economic impact. We envision and contribute to an increasingly vibrant Detroit and Michigan with equitable access to opportunity and lasting prosperity for all. DEED works with partners on campus, in the community and with Wayne State entrepreneurship hub TechTown to foster a vibrant, flourishing city and region. Learn more at economicdevelopment.wayne.edu.