More than 1,100 cyclists signed up for the "The Baroudeur," a French word meaning warrior - which is the nickname of the university's sports teams. The brainchild of WSU President M. Roy Wilson, it's the first urban bike ride event the university has organized. "It was a bigger turnout than we expected," said Wilson. "We were hoping for close to 1,000." Riders at the event chose one of four open road courses: a 20-, 50-, 62- or 100-mile ride, also called century. Wilson, an avid cyclist, was doing a century Saturday. "I wanted to bring this to Downtown Detroit and have people experience the university and the city," Wilson said. "I'm hoping this is something we can do every year. We're off to a good start." Wilson said Saturday's event was open to all and future Baroudeur rides will be, too. Proceeds from the event will help fund scholarships for students at the university.

A photo gallery of The Baroudeur is featured.

The fourth annual Techonomy Detroit conference, which brings together national technology leaders in the transportation, government and education sectors, returns to the campus of Wayne State University next month. Sessions will include topics surrounding connected mobility, how to create jobs and improve transit in cities, how to engage residents and designing cities that benefit all residents. Speakers include Carl Bass, CEO of Autodesk, a software company; Dan'l Lewin, corporate vice president of technology and civic engagement at Microsoft; John Webb, a user experience researcher at Google Civic Innovation; and Andrew Yang, founder and CEO of Venture for America, among others. The event will be held at the Wayne State University Law School on Sept. 15.

Wayne State University researchers will analyze the economic and social impacts that U-Haul® corporate sustainability initiatives are having on the New Center neighborhood, and how these impacts interact with larger redevelopment trends in Detroit. The focus of the study will be on the adaptive reuse of the former Nabisco® factory at 899 W. Baltimore St. in Detroit's Midtown district. The research will be conducted during the next 18 to 24 months. The agreement constitutes Phase II of a U-Haul commissioned study. Phase I built the context by examining the ingredients and effects of adaptive reuse projects in the U.S. and around the world. Wayne State University's research will be led by Professor Robin Boyle and Associate Professor Rayman Mohamed of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. "This project will allow us to understand how sustainability can be linked at the building, neighborhood, district and city levels," Mohamed said. Boyle added: "There is very much an ethnographic study: we will embed ourselves in the neighborhood to understand how change can spread outwards from a single location to influence changes in the larger midtown area."

Wayne State University is bringing 1,000 cyclists to Detroit on Saturday to participate in a city-wide bike ride called The Baroudeur. Proceeds from the event will fund student scholarships. Spokesperson Michael Brinich said Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson and his wife came up with the idea. The longest course takes riders to Grosse Ile and back on a 100 mile loop. Helmets are necessary, and cyclists are required to follow the rules of the road, as traffic will not be stopped for the event.

Nearly 1,000 people are preparing to bicycle through Detroit this weekend for the inaugural Wayne State University fundraiser, The Baroudeur. "Baroudeur means fighter or warrior in French and is a term used in cycling for riders not afraid to break away from the peloton and do things on their own, even if they might be an underdog," Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson said in a statement. Riders will start rolling from Gullen Mall on campus Aug. 22. The noncompetitive ride is the brainchild of Wilson, who had attended similar fundraisers at other campuses around the country. "I'm an avid cycler myself; I think it's a great way to get to see a different area and understand a little bit about the region," Wilson told Crain's. "I thought this would be a good way to have people come in and give them an opportunity to experience Wayne State and Detroit." According to Matthew Lockwood, director of communications at Wayne State, the majority of riders have either signed up for the 20 or 100 mile course so far. "I am very pleased with the number (of people registered). It was a little more than I was expecting." said Lockwood, who spearheaded the coordination of the event. "Our initial goal was 500 riders, so I think it speaks to a growing cycling culture in Detroit and that they enjoy exploring the city on bikes now."

Student veterans and their dependents can now choose from more than 50 veteran-friendly schools committed to providing on-campus, veteran-centric services to better support their academic and transitional needs. The Veteran-Friendly School program, created by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, recognizes institutions of higher learning for their dedication to student veterans and dependents utilizing their G.I. Bill and other educational benefits. The 2015 rankings are now available. Fifty-five schools earned either bronze-, silver- or gold-level status as determined by the number of services they offer to student veterans, which are also listed on the webpage. Wayne State University received gold-level status.

Detroit Free Press reporter Cassandra Spratling wrote a feature story about her preparation for Wayne State University's Baroudeur, a cycling event to raise money for scholarships. "Right now, I'm just looking forward to crossing the finish line on Saturday after my metric century." Wayne State University's bike ride on Saturday - called the Baroudeur - offers a metric century among the four routes for its inaugural ride. As of Friday afternoon, 752 people had registered for the ride, including Wayne State's President, Dr. M. Roy Wilson. It was his idea to create an annual ride. Whether biking long distances alone or in groups, Wilson loves cycling. The alone time lets him do some of his best thinking, but he also enjoys the camaraderie that cycling in groups engenders. "When I'm with a group I'm not Dr. Wilson, I'm not President Wilson. I'm just one of the cyclists. We're all the same, taking our turns, helping and pulling each other along," he says. Wilson, 61, a former competitive cyclist, plans to do what some people consider the real century - 100 miles. His wife, Jacqueline, 51, plans to do the 50-mile route. Wilson does several centuries a year in every state he has lived in, including seven since moving to Michigan two years ago to become the university's president. He believes recreational cycling is a fun way to learn about a community and its people. It's the reason he brought the idea to Wayne. "It's a great opportunity to introduce people to both Wayne State University and Detroit," Wilson says of the ride that will go through the city and some of its nearby suburbs. "People will come to campus and know it can be a fun place, a safe place and a place of activity. It will allow people to have a great appreciation for both Wayne State and the city of Detroit."

Details about the Baroudeur are provided in this brief. Baroudeur, which means "fighter" or "warrior" in French, features 20-, 50-, 62- or 100-mile bike rides through metro Detroit. The event starts between 7 and 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, depending on route. The ride begins and ends at Gullen Mall on the Wayne State University campus, between the student union and the fitness center. The cost is $46, and will benefit economically disadvantaged students.

"Detroit Today" host Stephen Henderson talked with Dennis Tini, senior associate dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, and Rhonda Welsh, an alumni officer for the college. The discussion focused on the importance of showing artists the ways to make a living off of their work, and the stereotype of a "starving artist." Tini noted that in the 21st century artists have to be aware of the business and entrepreneurial side of creative industries. He emphasized the need to network in order to explore opportunities to increase their business. Welsh said that Wayne State's discussions about the business of art, like the one scheduled for Aug. 14, are designed to give artists the skills to make a living from doing what they love. She added that in Detroit's burgeoning art scene, artists are starting to see the viability of producing their creative works as a career. "The Business of Art," which is open to the public, will take place on Aug. 14 at Wayne State's Old Main Building. Doors open at 5 p.m, and the event begins at 6 p.m.

Bicyclists from Wayne State University's first fundraiser ride will be touring through Grosse Ile, where island residents will be set up at several stations to welcome them. Grosse Ile residents will be volunteering between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Aug. 22 in Macomb Park in the area of Meridian and Macomb for the event. The Baroudeur is Wayne State University's inaugural cycling event to raise money for student scholarships. The Baroudeur is a noncompetitive event that gives riders of all abilities an opportunity to "explore the Motor City and surrounding area while helping economically disadvantaged students pursue higher education."

A frank look at what Michigan's competitors are saying, insights from new and seasoned entrepreneurs, ideas from a global innovation expert and how to transition to a new Michigan economy are just a few highlights planned for Business Leaders for Michigan's upcoming Michigan CEO Summit. This year's summit, scheduled for Nov. 12 at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, is aiming at helping participants -- business and community leaders and policy makers -- maintain a strong "turnaround" mentality. Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson is scheduled to moderate a panel designed to give attendees an insiders' look at the obstacles, opportunities and support that exist for entrepreneurs in Michigan.

Detroit News columnist Bankole Thompson examines recent police incidents on college campuses nationwide noting that there has been heightened discussion about overhauling the criminal justice system. Recent campus incidents around the country have not gone unnoticed by Wayne State University police chief Anthony D. Holt, a 38-year veteran law enforcement officer. The incidents raise concerns, he said, but the public should not rush to indict all university police. "What we are observing right now is a general mistrust of law enforcement as a whole," Holt said. "The Wayne State Police Department has been patrolling the area surrounding the university since 1966. … we have never been involved in a fatal shooting or any shooting where a citizen was impacted." Holt's department has received national attention, including a New York Times article earlier this year that credited his department with helping to build Midtown. "I think the recent fatal encounters are a combination of factors, and training and cultural issues are crucial components," he said. "I invite the community (churches, organizations, K-12 schools) to be a part of what we do," he added. "Cultural training is more than having a two-day session with a trainer. It is a must that you meet and listen to the concerns of the community."

Over the past 37 years, medical schools have had more diverse applicants, except for when it comes to one demographic: black men. In 1978, 1,410 black males applied to medical school, but by 2014, that number dropped to 1,337, according to a new report by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). In fact, black men made up the smallest group of medical school applicants compared to all other demographics -- even black women. The report suggests several causes for the decline, from admission policy changes to more qualitative factors, including racial bias and lack of mentors, which might discourage young black men from entering the field. After analyzing the stats around black men and medical school, the AAMC conducted interviews with 11 black premedical students, physicians, researchers and leaders. They described the barriers some black men face when deciding to pursue medicine, discussing how they confronted -- and overcame -- structural and cultural obstacles to entering the medical field. One suggestion was "Build a support network." The interviewees stressed how important mentors, peer support and study groups were to their success. Studies suggest that young black men who want to be doctors may not have people who can guide them into medical school. "I think it's critical that they reach out and ask for help," Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson said. "Casting a wide net and getting assistance is not something to be ashamed of, but something that should be encouraged."

On Monday, the Detroit Revitalization Fellows, Wayne State University, the Kresge Foundation and Mayor Mike Duggan's office announced a new twist to the program. This year, three alums will return to the Fellowship and take on special tasks within the Mayor's office. These "Kresge Mayor's Fellows" will add new muscle to Duggan's workforce, putting three well-known and well-respected professionals in front of three mighty challenges. This is about momentum, said Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson. It is about energy, talent and commitment to Detroit, said Kresge Foundation President and CEO Rip Rapson. It is about accelerating Detroit's growth, said Mayor Duggan. It is about civic, community and economic development, said Graig Donnelly, Detroit Revitalization Fellows Director. In its third cohort of this program, a group of 23 individuals and companies will examine big-picture projects ranging from transit to technology to homelessness to neighborhood development. This year, the Detroit Revitalization Fellows had its highest applicant pool in its four-year history; more than 650 people wrote up their best qualities in hopes of securing a spot in the prestigious fellowship. And some 65 businesses, nonprofits and groups applied for the 23 employer openings in the program.

Effective Aug. 19, Wayne State will be the latest to join Eastern, Northern, Western, University of Michigan, Oakland, Central, Grand Valley, Saginaw Valley, and Lawrence Tech in smoke-free campus policies. "Wayne State is committed to the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors," said Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson in a press release. "Going smoke- and tobacco-free is a logical step toward ensuring a healthy, clean and welcoming campus." Wilson also said as the campus transitions, they will also provide resources for students and teachers who want help quitting smoking. Wayne State's smoke-free policy is also effective against "vaping," or e-cigarettes, according to the release.

The city of Sterling Heights is partnering with the Wayne State University Physician Group to design and implement a comprehensive treatment model for police officers, firefighters and military veterans who experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). "When people think of PTSD, they normally think of soldiers on a battlefield," said Sterling Heights Mayor Pro Tem Doug Skrzyniarz, who also serves as the associate vice president of government affairs for the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the WSU Physician Group. "But the truth is PTSD can affect anyone. It's particularly prevalent in police officers and firefighters, who often witness or experience traumatic events while they're out being the heroes they are." With input from Sterling Heights police officers and firefighters, officials with the WSU Physician Group's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences and the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences say they hope to develop a comprehensive treatment model that becomes the stands for police and fire departments across the country. "PTSD is a very disruptive condition for both the patients and their family. In many cases, patients try to self-medicate, which leads to alcohol and drug abuse, behavioral changes and, in some cases, suicide," said David Rosenberg, M.D., a WSU Physician Group psychiatrist and department chair. "There are proven therapies and medications to help address PTSD in patients, but these treatments need to be tailored for a particular patient population. What works for soldiers in the battlefield may be different for a firefighter or police officer."

When Daryl Graham played his last game at Wayne State University in 2008, he vowed to take the knowledge he learned on and off the field and pass it down to the many young men who will enjoy the game of football as much as he did. Four years ago, he created Developing Great Athletes, a program that teaches student athletes ages 7-19 the skills needed to excel in football while building character and self-esteem. Players are required to turn in a school progress report and participate in community service activities that include feeding the homeless and cleaning up the city. "When I was at WSU, I would try and take the younger players under my wing and give them advice, so they could learn from my mistakes," said Graham, a former running back who finished 10th in GLIAC history with 3,000 rushing yards and was featured in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd. "I didn't make it to the (NFL), but I want to give my guys additional knowledge, so that they can be successful in college football or the NFL."

Sixty-one entrepreneurs marched onto the stage at Wayne State University's St. Andrews Hall, where they were greeted with a standing ovation by relatives, friends and colleagues. It was the second graduation for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative in Detroit. "There is momentum building in this great city," Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson said. "It's happening right now. You can feel it and see it. Opportunity and will power and creativity are converging in Detroit, and entrepreneurs are at the heart of it. Programs like this that support small businesses fuel this reinvention and are our top priority." The $500-million Goldman Sachs program is designed to help entrepreneurs boost revenues and create jobs. The program began in 2010 and has spread to 26 cities nationwide. The goal is to graduate at least 10,000 entrepreneurs. Goldman's commitment to the Detroit program is $20 million.

Kelly Young, associate professor of communication and director of Wayne State's Forensics, previewed Thursday night's Republican debate pointing out that research shows primary debates play a significant role in voters making up their minds about candidates. Thursday night's debate event was designed to follow a short format for the speakers, so Young anticipated the candidates would engage in "a battle of sound bites," each speaker seeking quick opportunities to appear presidential.(cue to 3:15)