WSU president Roy Wilson
M. Roy Wilson has prominent backers as he resists a push by board members who apparently want him out as Wayne State president.
M. Roy Wilson, WSU president since 2013. (University photoy)
"A group of 25 business leaders and prominent donors sent a letter Monday to the Wayne State University board of governors to express their support," Jay Greene reports at Crain's Detroit Business.
The letter comes amid conflict between Wilson and a faction of Wayne State's board that has led some close to the board to conclude that some members of the faction are trying to push Wilson to resign. . . .
"For the good of the university that has been entrusted to you, we implore you to lay aside individual considerations and focus on what is best for the entire institution," [the letter says]. . . .
Three governors on the eight-member board — Michael Busuito, Sandra Hughes O'Brien and Dana Thompson — have criticized Wilson's leadership and questioned the appropriateness of extending his contract as president, objected to changes at the WSU School of Medicine, described employment contracts for four university-hired health experts as excessive and want affiliation talks with Henry Ford Health System halted.
Greene lists eight signers of the five-paragraph letter emailed Monday, including:
- Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc.
- Ann Parsons, president of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
- Dennis Archer, Detroit mayor from 1994-2001
- Allan Gilmour, WSU president from 2011-13
- Matt Simoncini, retired president and CEO of Lear Corp.
Wilson, 65, was elected by on an 8-0 board of governors vote in June 2013 and took office two months later.