MORTUARY SCIENCE

Graduated in 1992
Owner, President/CEO
Funeral Director 
Nie Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service

Q: Why did you choose Wayne State University?

A: It was a convenient commute from my home and had a good reputation.

Q: What inspired you to pursue Mortuary Science?

A: Watching my parents operate our family funeral home and the impact they had on our community inspired me to carry on that tradition.

Q: Who was your most memorable instructor?

A: Tom Zaremba; he taught restorative art and was very engaging and made the subject matter very easy to learn.

Q: What was your most challenging class?

A: Chemistry.

Q: Share some reflections about your time at Wayne State:

A: It was a great program. I made some lifetime friends that I'm still in touch with today. It also prepared me for my profession.

Q: In your opinion, what is one of the biggest changes that has occurred in your profession since graduating?

A: The biggest change I can see is the change in the makeup of the mortuary classes. When I went through the program, it  was about 80% owner's kids and 80% male to female. My son is in the program now and his class is the complete opposite, with the majority being non-generational female students. As a matter of fact, with the exception of myself and my son (soon), our other five directors are all female, reflecting the national trends also.

Q: Share a career highlight or summary:

A: I have had the honor of serving my profession starting with being our Class President while in mortuary school, as well as serving as the President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association in 2013. I am currently serving as the President of the National Funeral Directors Association.

---

Since 1939, the Wayne State University Mortuary Science program has been dedicated to educating and developing funeral service professionals who serve their communities with care and distinction.

Through traditional, online and hybrid programs, students benefit from high quality instruction and practical experiences that lay the foundation for their funeral service careers. Learn more about the application process and make plans to attend a college information meeting, held for prospective students at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

An anchor in urban health care

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for students, with an ongoing focus on social justice in health care. And our research at all levels – from undergraduates to veteran faculty members – translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 24,000 students.