DeanWuBlog

Recent Activities

Over the past few weeks, I have been to several other institutions of higher education throughout this great state. I travel often to advance our Law School, and I especially like seeing other campuses. On most trips, I try to do as much as possible: visiting with alumni and other supporters to cultivate them and serve as a steward of our important relationships; meeting with prospective employers to explain the many reasons they should be considering students as potential hires; hosting events for undergraduate students who are considering legal careers to ensure they are considering coming here to begin their legal education; and participating in activities that raise our public profile.

My most recent journeys have brought me to the Upper Peninsula. I had pledged to visit the UP, because we are a state institution and it is important to acknowledge that this state has two peninsulas. I had actually promised some graduates that I would come when there was snow on the ground, and I am delighted to report that indeed there was an early snowfall and accumulation was still visible. I delivered talks for the general public at both Michigan Technological University in Houghton and Northern Michigan University in Marquette, gave guest lectures to large classes, met with pre-law student groups and scholarship students, among numerous other activities over the course of three days. I also represented Wayne State University as a whole at an alumni luncheon, which the attendees appreciated greatly. It is not often – not often enough – that we visit the Upper Peninsula. I would like to ensure that at least every other year our admissions recruiters make it to the UP.

In addition, I was invited to Central Michigan University and Kalamazoo College. Both of these fine schools, like MTU and NMU, are feeder institutions for us. Every year, we see a number of applicants, and a few matriculants, who have done their undergraduate work there. It is apparent that other law schools are doing their best to attract undergraduates from all over Michigan.

I am convinced that our more regular presence will persuade a greater number of talented students from these schools to come here. Our success depends on being competitive throughout our geographic market and expanding the scope of our vision.