WSU Schoolcraft Center is a hit with Livonia leaders

Members of the Livonia business and education community packed the WSU Schoolcraft Center Jan.

28 to learn more about economic development in the city that is home to the university’s new extension center on 7 Mile at Haggerty.

Cohosted by the School of Business, Educational Outreach and the Livonia Chamber of Commerce, the event featured an update from Mark Taormina, director of planning and economic development for Livonia. He provided a brief history of how the city’s economic centers developed and discussed changing population trends in this inner-ring suburb.

Business Dean Robert Forsythe said that, since he’s only been at Wayne State for about six months, he couldn’t take much credit for our efforts in Livonia, and thanked Associate Vice President Ahmad Ezzeddine for bringing the new Schoolcraft to U partnership to fruition. Schoolcraft President Conway Jeffress shared his pleasure with the year-old partnership, through which WSU offers coursework in accounting, management, finance, global supply chain, business information systems and engineering technology at a new building on the Schoolcraft campus.

The event was designed to introduce the site to business representatives and city leaders, which include Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey, a three-time WSU alum. 

- Carol Baldwin, Wayne State University

Event participants included keynoter Mark Taormina (left), Livonia City Councilman Brandon Kritzman, Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey, School of Business Dean Robert Forsythe, School of Business Assistant Dean Linda Zaddach, Schoolcraft President Conway Jeffress, WSU Associate Vice President Ahmad Ezzeddine and Livonia Chamber President and WSU alum Dan West.