David L. Mackenzie
Encyclopedia
David Mackenzie was a noteworthy Michigan educator and administrator. Mackenzie was born in Detroit on May 28, 1860; he attended Capitol High School and the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...

.

Biography

By 1881, David Mackenzie had earned his teaching credentials and a Master's degree. Throughout much of the 1880s, Mackenzie taught at the elementary and secondary level in Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...

; by 1888, he had been promoted to the position of Superintendent. During 1892, Mackenzie moved to west Michigan where he served twelve years as Superintendent of Muskegon Schools.

In 1904, David Mackenzie came back to Detroit as the new Principal of Central High School
Central High School (Detroit, Michigan)
Central High School is the oldest secondary school in Detroit, Michigan; it is staffed and operated by the Detroit Public Schools.-History:In 1858, Detroit's first high school opened on Miami Avenue. By 1863, due to increased enrollment, the school was moved to a building that had formerly housed...

. By 1913, under Mackenzie's direction, a one-year, college-level premedical curriculum was established at Central High - the first junior college curriculum organized in Michigan. In 1916, the program was extended to two-years, and in 1917 the state legislature approved Mackenzie's plans for establishing the Detroit Junior College.

In 1919, David Mackenzie -then Principal of Detroit Central High School and Detroit Junior College- was officially appointed first Dean of the college that he had originated. 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
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...

 in 1956.

Memorial

In 1928, the Detroit Board of Education dedicated its newest high school to the memory of David Mackenzie. The three-story structure still stands at 9275 Wyoming Avenue, on the city's west side; Mackenzie High School
Mackenzie High School (Michigan)
Mackenzie High School was a public secondary education facility in Detroit, Michigan.-The early years: 1928–1940s :Located on Detroit's west side, David Mackenzie High School was named to honor the innovative educator who had served as principal of Central High School, and as first dean of the...

 closed its doors for the last time in June 2007.

See also

  • Wikipedia - Mackenzie High School
    Mackenzie High School (Michigan)
    Mackenzie High School was a public secondary education facility in Detroit, Michigan.-The early years: 1928–1940s :Located on Detroit's west side, David Mackenzie High School was named to honor the innovative educator who had served as principal of Central High School, and as first dean of the...


External links

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