Dr. Irvin D. Reid, the namesake of Wayne State's Honors College, is president emeritus of Wayne State University. After 11 years of distinguished service, Dr. Reid left the presidency of Wayne State to become the inaugural holder of the Eugene Applebaum Chair in Community Engagement and Director for the Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society (FOCIS). Dr. Reid was instrumental in the creation of such landmark programs at WSU as the African Democracy Project and Tech Town. 

Dr. Reid served as Wayne State University’s ninth president from 1997-2008.  Dr. Reid earned Masters and PhD degrees in business and applied economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Howard University. He also holds a certificate in educational administration from Harvard University.