June 21, 2018

Urban Science Founder, President and CEO, Jim Anderson, received the 2018 Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award, the highest honor given by the Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD).

The Rackham Award is given in recognition of “outstanding humanitarian achievements as exemplified by meritorious technical accomplishments for the benefit of mankind or by recognition on either a local, national or international level for extraordinary achievements in civic, business, public-spirited or humanitarian endeavors.” It was presented during ESD’s annual dinner at Ford Field, which brings together the best, brightest and most diverse group of engineering, design and construction leaders each year in southeast Michigan to honor their creative ideas and achievements. Past recipients of this prestigious award include Lee Iacocca, Robert Lutz and Edsel B. Ford II.

“My vision, for Urban Science and beyond, was to create a world where science and technology combine with entrepreneurial spirit to create opportunity and make the world a better place to live in,” Jim said.

From raising money to giving money to actually developing products that enhance the lives of others across the globe, Jim’s vision continues to drive him to give back to both the community and educational organizations. This include endowments made to the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan to build a Spinal Cord Injury Program and to Wayne State University, where he committed $25 million to fund the Anderson Entrepreneurship Institute in the College of Engineering.

Jim has been a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit since 1977 and was inducted into the ESD College of Fellows in 2010. Born and He received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in civil engineering, both from Wayne State University. Jim is a member of many professional organizations, including American Society of Civil Engineers, Detroit Economic Club and Michigan Society of Professional Engineers.