With the generous support of Maggie Allesee, the Department of Dance at Wayne State University educates and influences the 21st century dance community while greatly enhancing the department’s national reputation through many achievements. The Allesee Endowment grows the department’s ability to offer a nurturing and vibrant environment for students to realize their dreams, providing a fertile training ground for young dance artists preparing for careers in the professional arena, giving students experiences in choreography, repertory and touring that mirror today’s leading professional dance companies.

In recognition and appreciation of Maggie Allesee’s history of generous support of the arts at Wayne State University and of dance in particular, the WSU Board of Governors approved the renaming of the dance department in 2000. Securely endowed with the magnanimous gifts of Maggie Allesee, the department continues to expand its national and global presence in dance performance, choreography and scholarship.

Maggie Allesee, philanthropist and long-time supporter, volunteer and friend of both WSU and Detroit’s cultural community, is deeply committed to dance, the arts and social services philanthropy. For her unwavering service and indelible contributions to the community, Maggie Allesee has received numerous awards including the Michigan Humanitarian of the Year, Project Hope Lifetime Achievement Award, American Lung Association Women’s Committee Volunteer Award, United Way Heart of Gold and the National Dance Education Organization President’s Award for her unparalleled support of dance in Michigan, as well as nationally.