Wayne State University has won national recognition for its Thursday's in the D program, which strives to expand students' experiences by exposing them to the diverse sights, sounds and culture in Detroit. The National Association for Campus Activities will present WSU's Campus Activities Team with its Diversity Achievement Award for Campus Programs on Feb. 17 at the association's national convention in Boston.

Thursdays in the D, which began in 2011, averages 200 participants each week attending events such as musicals, hip hop concerts and salsa dancing.

"In addition to helping students explore all that Detroit has to offer, Thursdays in the D also brings together our diverse student population and encourages students to engage with one another," said Eboni Turnbow of the Dean of Students Office. "Cultural experiences are important to expand students' perspectives and this program uses our city to make that happen."

Turnbow and six students will travel to Boston to accept the award.

Ninety percent of all Thursdays in the D events are free and transportation is provided. One of the most popular events is ice skating in Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit. This year, 350 students participated.

The Outstanding Diversity Achievement Campus Program Award recognizes programs at NACA member institutions that positively contribute to the development of a diverse culture on campus. The criteria for the award includes demonstrating an impact on enhancing the understanding of diversity awareness among the general campus community, originality and innovation, fostering meaningful relationships between diverse student groups, challenging stereotypical perceptions of diverse populations, helping students learn to communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds, and generating awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students.