DETROIT - Michigan First Lady Michelle Engler, a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Wayne State University during commencement ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, in Detroit's Cobo Arena. She will join 3,000-degree recipients in the university's winter graduation class.

Engler is being honored for her volunteer work on behalf of Michigan citizens. She chairs the Michigan Community Service Commission, a body through which citizens help improve the quality of life of others through service and volunteerism. This year she helped launch the Ambassadors of Good Health program, which is dedicated to improving the health and well being of people in the state.

Michigan's First Lady serves on boards of directors for the national Points of Light Foundation, the Michigan Nonprofit Association, the Library of Michigan Foundation and America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth. She is active in promoting Michigan Harvest Gathering, a public/private effort to gather food to feed the hungry. Earlier this year, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame for CATCH, a charitable organization for sick, injured and needy children.

She was recognized as one of Michigan's most prominent women during the Michigan Women's Commission 30th anniversary celebration this year. In addition to a law degree, Engler holds a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas and is a member of both the Texas and Michigan State Bar Associations.