Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 16, 1993 TAG: 9309160078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"When that milestone is reached, I will gracefully conclude my tenure at this remarkable institution," he said at a university faculty meeting Monday.
Wilson, 62, joined W&L in 1983 and played a key role in the then-all-male school's decision to admit women starting in the fall of 1985.
The former executive vice president and provost at Virginia Tech said he announced his retirement plans so early because rumors about his departure had started to circulate on the Lexington campus.
"I was surprised when my wife met a faculty member that said I was leaving by Christmas," he said Wednesday.
Wilson downplayed the role he had in the board of trustees' decision to admit women, but admits that his first year was one of the most difficult.
"If I were to reread all of that correspondence, it would probably bring back painful memories," he said.
The school now has 970 men and 630 women.
John Elrod, dean and vice president for academic affairs, praised Wilson for his contributions to the university.
"His presidency has been an extraordinary one with a lot of very positive and constructive change," he said.
During his tenure, Wilson has overseen the construction of Gaines Hall, a student residence hall and the Lenfest Center for Performing Arts, and the recently completed renovation of the school's 13 fraternity houses.
In February of 1991, W&L kicked off a campaign to raise $127 million to increase the school's endowment fund and build a $20 million science center.
The school is about $40 million short of its fund-raising goal, so Wilson will be busy during his final 20 months.
"We've got a lot of work to do," he said.
Wilson said he would like to spend his retirement years living in a college town studying 16th-century English and Irish poetry - but it won't be Lexington.
"I think it will be better for the new president if I'm not here," he said.
Wilson worked at Tech from 1975-83 and said a return to Blacksburg was a good possibility.
"I've heard that's turned into a place for retirees," he said.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.