February 11, 2004

Wayne State University Black History Facts

First African American medical student: Henry Fitzbutler. Enrolled in Detroit Medical School in 1871 at the age of 29.

First woman African American graduate of medicine: class of 1943.
First PhD from College of Nursing. Mona Wickes, Dec. 14, 1992.
First African American graduate of The Normal School: Ella Brown, 1897.
Dr. Chester Ames was the first African American to gain an internship at Receiving Hospital circa 1929.
First African American Convocation: May 1, 1993.
In 1994, WSU led the nation in baccalaureate degrees awarded to African Americans - excluding historically black colleges and universities. This has been due in large part to the minority recruitment and admissions program: First in the country, and a national model.
Irvin D. Reid was sworn in Nov. 24, 1997 as Wayne State University's ninth president and the first African American to be appointed to that position.