Spring 2007

Brothers Honor Parents' Memories by Endowing History Lecture Series

There is perhaps no greater legacy than that of a professor who dedicates a life to enlightening and inspiring young minds. For the late Charles R. '26 and Elizabeth C. Wilson, who shared a passion for education and history, the impact of their life-long commitment to higher education is still being felt at Miami University .

Thanks to a substantial gift from their sons, Doug '64 and Jim '65, the Charles R. and Elizabeth C. Wilson Endowed Lecture Series has been established to allow the graduate program of Miami 's Department of History to attract top scholars in American history to lecture on campus.

"This generous gift provides both our graduate and undergraduate students with access to some of the most interesting scholars working in the field today," said Dr. Mary Cayton, chair of Miami 's history department. "Opportunities to meet with such visiting scholars broaden our students' experience and their sense of possibilities in the field."

According to Doug Wilson, who himself earned a master's degree from Miami 's history program in 1969, the series is an ideal tribute to the memory of his parents.

"It was important that we honor Dad in an academic area and in the field of history," he said. "Mom always felt very strongly about her role in assisting Dad with his work, even helping to host Colgate's Conference on American Foreign Policy that Dad founded, so this was a very fitting tribute to both."

Also fitting is that the gift helps advance a university that has always held a special place for the Wilson family.

After receiving his degree in history from Miami in 1926, Charles "Ray" Wilson, found his way back to alma mater in 1933 and briefly taught in the history department. He went on from there to enjoy a lengthy tenure at Colgate University , where he rose to the position of chair of the history department, before returning to Miami in 1961 to serve as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost under then-president John Millett and later Phillip Shriver. During the 1964-65 academic term, he served as acting president at Miami .

Doug, who visited and fell in love with Miami 's campus with his father's backing, still recalls the series of events that would land the entire family in Oxford .

"When I came home for Christmas break during my freshman year, Dad was asking all sorts of questions about the university," he said. "I finally asked why he had so many questions, and it turned out that President Millett had met with him over dinner in New York City and invited him to apply to become the Academic Vice President and Provost, a position he later was offered and accepted."

The following year, Doug, who earned his undergraduate degree in education, was joined on campus by both his parents and later his brother Jim, who went on to major in business.

Following his graduation, Doug began a lengthy involvement with Miami University 's Alumni Association. He served for 13 years as Alumni Secretary under then-director John Dolibois, and, after a brief stint at the University of Oregon , returned to succeed Dolibois as Vice President for University Relations. He served in the role until 1988 when he left for Indiana University , from which he would retire.

Doug and Jim, who is retired from Ford Motor Company, have remained active as alumni and and are honored to help carry on their parents' life work. While the lecture series is directed toward graduate students, Doug believes the benefits of the series will impact the entire department.

"It is easier to attract and retain top faculty if graduate programs flourish, and programs like this lecture series can be a key component to that," he said. "Hopefully the lectures will peak interest campus-wide and maybe even serve as a recruiting tool for the program."

Plans are already in the works to invite the inaugural speaker of the Charles R. and Elizabeth C. Wilson Endowed Lecture Series, which is expected to begin next year.