David L. Mackenzie
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In 1919, David L. Mackenzie was officially appointed first Dean of Detroit Junior College, the same college he had originated in 1917. Prior to the promotion, Mackenzie had served as Principal of Detroit Central High School and Detroit Junior College. A native of Detroit, David L. Mackenzie was born on May 28, 1860; he attended Capitol High School and the University of Michigan - where he graduated with a teaching certificate and Master's Degree in 1881 . Prior to accepting the position of Principal at Detroit Central High School in 1904, Mackenzie had served as superintendent of schools in Flint and Muskegon, Michigan.
In 1913 Under Mackenzie's direction, a one-year, college-level premedical curriculum was offered at Central High School - the first junior college curriculum organized in Michigan. By 1916, the program had been extended to two-years, and in 1917 the state legislature approved Mackenzie's plans for establishing the Detroit Junior College. With Mackenzie at the helm, Detroit Junior College became the third largest institution of higher learning in Michigan.
The college was granted four-year degree status in 1923 - becoming the College of the City of Detroit; David L. Mackenzie continued as Dean until his death in 1926. In 1934 the College was renamed Wayne University; becoming known officially as Wayne State University in 1956.
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In 1928, the Detroit Board of Education dedicated its newest high school to the memory of David L. Mackenzie. The three-story structure still stands at 9275 Wyoming Avenue, on the city's west side; Mackenzie High School closed its doors for the last time in June, 2007.
