Wayne State University's story began in 1868, when five physicians who witnessed the crude medical treatment on Civil War battlefields committed themselves to advancing health education and care in Detroit. They founded the Detroit Medical College, which has since transformed into our School of Medicine — an internationally-renowned school that has contributed to landmark medical achievements such as the world's first successful open-heart surgery and the discovery of AZT for the treatment of AIDS.

The School of Medicine continues to be fueled by passion for its community and dedication to urban clinical excellence, and it is now part of a premier research institution composed of 13 schools and colleges.

Our College of Engineering, for example, is home to the nation's first comprehensive electric-drive vehicle engineering curriculum, where the next generation is leading the green technology movement in the Motor City.

Meanwhile, our College of Nursing is consistently ranked among the highest in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

You have likely heard of our College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts alumni, who have gone on to make headlines as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and as Caldecott, Emmy, Golden Globe, Grammy, Obie, Screen Actors Guild and Tony award nominees and recipients.

This year, we'll debut a new, state-of-the-art home for the Mike Ilitch School of Business that will undoubtedly revolutionize business education in Detroit, offering students unprecedented access to the real-world experience that will guide them — and the city — to success.

We are proud to be home to Michigan's most diverse student body, welcoming more than 27,000 students from nearly every U.S. state and 80 countries. From our main, 200-acre campus in Midtown, we have seen Detroit at its highest and lowest, and it has been an honor to play a role in our hometown's revitalization.