This position plays a primary role in the solicitation, management and stewardship of major gifts to the university. Lopata's responsibilities include the development of funding proposals to corporations and foundations as well as significant research and the recognition of major donors. She reports to the Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs.

Lopata previously served the university for four years as a development officer. A resident of Royal Oak, Mich., she holds bachelor's degrees from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and Siena Heights College in Adrian, Mich., as well as a master's degree from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.

"We are especially pleased to have someone with Bernice Lopata's talents, intelligence and enthusiasm in this key position," said Gary E. Rounding, Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs. "It's critical that public institutions such as Wayne State be able to attract significant private funding, and we're counting on her proven leadership in this area."

Wayne State University is a 31,000-student institution located in the heart of Detroit's Cultural Center. The university has earned a prestigious Carnegie I ranking for achievement in research funding, and its School of Medicine recently was ranked 22nd in the nation in this highly competitive field by the National Science Foundation.