Northwood University Invests in the Future of Automotive and Motorsports Education with New State-of-the-Art Facility

A Transformative Investment in Automotive Education

Northwood University is making a significant investment in the future of automotive and motorsports education with plans for a new academic facility designed to expand experiential learning opportunities and strengthen ties with the transportation industries. The Midland, Michigan-based university recently unveiled renderings for the new building, which will be constructed adjacent to the existing N.A.D.A. Hotel and Conference Center.

The facility will be named in honor of Dr. Alan Jay Wildstein, founder, president and CEO of the Alan Jay Automotive Network, following a leadership gift that helped launch the project. The Wildstein Learning and Academic Center represents one of the largest construction projects in the university's history, with a total estimated cost of approximately $15 million.

A Vision for the Future

"This state-of-the-art facility will build upon Northwood's storied reputation as a leader in automotive business education and usher in a future featuring deepened academic offerings and exciting experiential learning opportunities through expanded motorsports and mobility programming," says Northwood University President Kent MacDonald.

The project is funded through leadership gifts from Wildstein, the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Reynolds and Reynolds, and Northwood alumnus Bill Cole, with additional philanthropic commitments expected to be announced. More than $14 million in leadership gifts have already been secured.

Wildstein Learning and Academic Center: A Hub for Innovation

The Wildstein Learning and Academic Center will serve as a vibrant community hub and new gateway to Northwood's growing automotive, mobility, and professional education ecosystem. Beyond traditional classroom space, the facility will feature:

• Collaborative learning environments designed to foster teamwork and innovation

• Executive conference rooms for industry meetings and professional development

• A conference center capable of hosting up to 350 guests

• Second-floor guest suites providing students with hands-on experience managing hospitality and event operations

The center will replace the existing NADA Hotel and Conference Center and will house portions of the new Center for Automotive and Mobility Studies (CAMS). The CAMS program will operate out of the new facility as well as the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies.

Matthew Bennett, Northwood's vice president of enrollment and strategic alliances, said the project reflects the university's focus on preparing students for careers across automotive, mobility, motorsports and emerging transportation technologies.

Key Donors and Their Contributions

Dr. Alan Jay Wildstein

The facility's namesake, Dr. Alan Jay Wildstein, is a proud alumnus of Northwood University's Class of 1989. His $5 million gift comprises over 30% of the new facility's estimated cost. Wildstein is the founder, president, and CEO of the Alan Jay Automotive Network, which has grown from one dealership into multiple locations throughout southern Florida and Michigan.

"Northwood University played a significant role in shaping my career in the automotive industry," said Wildstein. "I am honored to give back to the university and help create a cutting-edge facility that will benefit students for years to come". In 2022, he was presented with an honorary doctorate from Northwood University, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the university.

Reynolds and Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds, the leading provider of software, services, and forms in automotive retail, contributed another $5 million to the project. Their support underscores the importance of industry partnerships in preparing students for the evolving automotive landscape.

Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation provided significant funding to modernize the NADA Hotel and Conference Center, contributing to the overall transformation of the facility.

Bill Cole

Alumnus William "Bill" Cole, a 1978 graduate of Northwood University, made a $150,000 gift in support of the Wildstein Learning and Academic Center. Cole, a fifth-generation West Virginia businessman, serves as dealer principal of Bill Cole Automall in Bluefield, West Virginia. Beyond his business career, he served as President of the West Virginia Senate and played a key role in advancing regulatory reforms and free-market policies.

"Northwood has always been closely connected to the industries it serves, especially automotive," said Northwood University Senior Vice President Emeritus Dr. Timothy G. Nash. "Bill Cole understands the value of that connection firsthand, as well as the transformative power of a Northwood education".

Supporting Expanded Academic Programming

The Wildstein Learning and Academic Center will strengthen Northwood's long-standing leadership in automotive business education while supporting expanded programming in mobility, motorsports, and emerging transportation technologies. The facility will host a range of academic programs, including:

• Automotive Marketing and Management degree

• Automotive Aftermarket Management degree

• Aftermarket professional training and certifications

• Master's programs in the automotive industry

• Automotive professional development education and industry research

The facility will also host the Northwood University International Auto Show and Aftermarket Club registered student organization.

Motorsports Programming: A Growing Focus

For the powersports industry, the announcement underscores Northwood's continued commitment to developing future dealership leaders through expanded automotive, mobility and motorsports programming. The university has increasingly become a resource for dealer education and professional development.

In Fall 2025, Northwood introduced a Motorsports Essentials workshop series and a digital badge program. In Fall 2026, the university will offer a new Fundamentals of Motorsports course for current and new students.

More significantly, Northwood recently launched a Bachelor of Business Administration in Automotive and Mobility Studies with a concentration in Motorsports Management. The program creates one of the nation's few business-first academic pathways dedicated to the full motorsports ecosystem.

The global motorsports market was valued at $9.5 billion in 2024, with growth fueled by expanding media rights, sponsorship innovation, experiential fan engagement, and global team operations. "Despite this growth, industry leaders consistently report talent gaps in commercial strategy, logistics management, and sponsorship activation," stated Vice President of Enrollment and Strategic Alliances Dr. Matthew Bennett. "Northwood's new BBA responds directly to that demand".

A Platform for Industry Engagement

Beyond its academic functions, the Wildstein Learning and Academic Center will serve as a venue for industry conferences, professional education programs and student events. University officials say the venue will support conferences while creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience managing hospitality and event operations through second-floor guest suites.

The facility will bring together students, faculty, and industry leaders in one collaborative environment. Matthew Bennett noted that the university has heard from the auto industry that it needs more education and training for its workers.

"We've become an industry leader in the automotive space, but we also understand the evolution of the automotive and mobility sector as a whole," Bennett said. "We want to make sure that we provide our students with exposure, training and education on all those areas so that they can be dynamic leaders in that industry".

A Legacy of Automotive Education

Northwood University has long been recognized as a leader in automotive business education. The university's Center for Automotive and Mobility Studies (CAMS) has been at the forefront of preparing students for careers in the automotive industry. The new facility represents a significant expansion of these efforts.

"Northwood is proud to be America's free enterprise university and we're committed to continue to walk at the head of that thin column," President Kent MacDonald said during the announcement.

The Wildstein Learning and Academic Center is expected to be fully operational by 2026. Construction is already underway, and the university continues to seek additional philanthropic support to complete the project.

The Wildstein Learning and Academic Center represents a transformative investment in the future of automotive and motorsports education. By combining state-of-the-art facilities with expanded academic programming and industry partnerships, Northwood University is positioning itself to prepare the next generation of leaders for the rapidly evolving transportation industries.

As the automotive and motorsports sectors continue to evolve, the need for skilled business leaders who understand the complexities of these industries has never been greater. Northwood's investment in this new facility ensures that its students will have the resources, experiences, and connections they need to succeed.

For the powersports industry and beyond, the Wildstein Learning and Academic Center represents a commitment to developing the talent that will drive innovation and growth for years to come.