A $15 million gift in honor of WSU School of Medicine alumnus set the tone for yesterday's launch of "Wayne First," the university's $500 million capital campaign. The gift, which was made by Nick Labedz in memory of his partner, Richard J. Mazurek, M.D., is the largest in Wayne State University's history.

Dr. Mazurek, who died of cardiac arrest in 2002, graduated from the School of Medicine in 1961. One-half of Mr. Labedz's gift will be designated to construct a 34,000-square-foot Medical Education Commons, which will be named for Dr. Mazurek.

"It's appropriate to give back to Dick's medical school that he was so proud of -- in the college from which he graduated -- to serve an area to which he devoted his life," Mr. Labedz said. "And now to embody his legacy through the medical education facility envisioned and realized. We are carrying on the very thing that is 'Dick Mazurek.' This gift, this new paradigm in medical education, is an outgrowth of him -- an evolution of the man. It all makes sense."

After graduating from the School of Medicine, Dr. Mazurek interned at the University of California-Los Angeles and Wadsworth Veterans Hospital. He entered private practice in Playa Del Ray, Calif., in 1964, and was considered an excellent diagnostician. He served as a clinical instructor on UCLA College of Medicine's faculty and was among the first physicians to become board certified in family medicine, although his primary certification was in surgery as an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Dr. Mazurek was active in real estate, most notably apartment buildings and commercial properties. In 1988, he retired from medicine after 25 years in private practice.

"We applaud Nick ... and all the generous donors who have shown a commitment to this campaign and see the value of investing in education and endowing Wayne State's future for years to come," said WSU President Irvin Reid. "Their gifts and others have pushed Wayne State to the halfway mark of our $500 million goal for the Wayne First Capital Campaign."

The School of Medicine has already raised $67 million, or 53 percent of its $115 million campaign goal. In addition to the $30 million Mazurek Medical Education Commons, the school has earmarked capital campaign funds to support Brush Mall renovations, scholarship and chair endowments as well as research initiatives.

For more information or to make a donation to the Wayne First campaign, please visit http://www.waynefirst.wayne.edu/.