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Michigan Chronicle
Vol. 83 – No. 11 | November 20-26, 2019
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Former WSU Governor Gary Pollard spoke during Tuesday’s gathering and said he was the chair of the search committee that hired Wilson in 2013.
United We Stand?
Community Members Gather in Support of Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson By Branden Hunter Leaders from across the Detroit area and the Wayne State University (WSU) community, including former Board of Governors, community members, students and alumni, gathered Tuesday morning at Walker-Miller Energy Services in the New Center Area to urge the Wayne State University Board of Governors to end its ongoing feud with President M. Roy Wilson. The group, whose message largely supported Wilson, feels the infighting has threatened the university’s reputation and future. Wayne State University is one of the fastest-improving universities in the nation among public universities with more than 10,000 students; its graduation rates have nearly doubled between 2011 and 2017. Many feel it is because of Wilson’s leadership, becoming president in 2013. “Sadly, at a time when the university’s leader should be taking a victory lap a faction of Wayne State’s Board of Governors continues to threaten the institution’s reputation with public and bitter attacks on the university’s president, and their fellow board members,” said Gerald Smith, a community activist and former WSU lec-
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turer. “We are not here to take sides. We are simply here to ask the board to work together to resolve their differences in a way that does not continue to embarrass this important institution.”
percent Black and serves nearly 4,000 Black students, Jeremiah Wheeler, president of the Black Student Union at Wayne State, said there are more pressing issues the board needs to be focusing on.
The group, which included former Detroit Mayor Dennis W. Archer, came together after several actions by a small group of the Wayne State Board of Governors created a rift at the university. One instance included several board members feeling slighted by the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge after they were informed of it hours before its unveiling. Months of infighting hit its peak with an attempt earlier this month to fire Wilson by the four board members who have been battling him. The Chair of the Board Kim Trent and others said it was not a formal meeting, so no vote was taken.
“It’s really unproductive to have conversations like this and divisiveness at our university,” he said. “We have other things that deserve attention, and this is elementary politics. We need to be focused more on the students and how our lives and experiences can be bettered at Wayne State.”
“As chair of the search committee for Dr. Wilson, I want to say how disappointed I am in some of the board members,” said former WSU governor Gary Pollard at the press conference. “Dr. Wilson’s accomplishments to this point are exactly why he was recruited to come to Wayne State and no one would want to come to this university after this kind of disruption.”
“We have seen a divided Detroit. We have seen divided institutions,” Landrum said. “We know what the outcome is. We also have seen a unified Detroit and we have seen unified institutions, and we know what that outcome is. Let us stand together and support our president, Roy Wilson. Let us stand together and protect our Wayne State University. Let us stand together in unity.”
Pollard began his speech
Kamilia Landrum works across the street from Walker-Miller Energy Services as the executive director of the Detroit Branch NAACP and said she is concerned about the board’s action at the university. She received her master’s degree from Wayne State in 2015.
Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson. PHOTO: Wayne State by reading an email from one of the larger donors to Wayne State, Mort Harris, who donated $10 million in 2017 to assist students in attending medical school at Wayne State. “He is a wonderful asset for
GAA Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management (GAA), one of the country’s largest African American-owned businesses, today announced former General Motors (GM) Executive Kevin W. Williams as its president and chief executive officer. Williams also joined the company as a major shareholder. The announcement was made by newly appointed GAA Chairman Sylvester L. Hester.
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With Wayne State being in the middle of a city that is 80
GAA Manufacturing Announces New President & CEO By Michigan Chronicle Staff
Detroit’s Own
the university and deserves the thanks and support of the Board of Governors and the broader community,” Harris’ email said of Wilson.
Williams’ career spans 31 years of global and divisional leadership at GM. He was most recently the board chairman, president and managing director of GM of Canada Ltd. In this role, he was responsible for leading all GM operations in Canada, with revenues of $38.7 billion. Prior to this role, he served as GM vice president and general manager, service and parts operations, where he oversaw all GM global aftersales businesses with annual revenues of $24.5 billion. He also served as chairman and global process leader for the GM Automotive Aftermarket Strategy Board. Williams also held several other senior global roles at GM including chairman, president and managing director of GM de Mexico, Central America and the Cayman Islands; and global executive director of supplier quality and development for GM Worldwide and GM Europe among other assignments.
Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Tennessee State University and a master’s of science degree in administration, Central Michigan University. He also completed the General Motors Senior Executive Development Program. Williams serves as vice chairman, board of directors, United Negro College Fund; and on the board of trustees of the American Medical Association. He also served on the board of trustees of Genesys Health Systems of Michigan. “Kevin Williams is a game changer for GAA,” said Hester. “His proven leadership capabilities at GM, including a strong track record for growing revenues, managing global operations and delivering quality-driven processes and products, will be key as we continue to diversify and expand our global network of resources to meet the demands of our supply chain customers.” Among other GAA leadership changes, Hester, formerly president and chief executive officer was elevated to chairman. Founder William F. Pickard was named executive chairman. “Kevin is one of America’s most talented executives and we are absolutely delighted that he chose to join us,” said Pickard. “Adding Kevin to our team demonstrates our commitment to our customers and our seriousness about market growth and sector penetration. His arrival is simply momentous.”
Kevin W. Williams