Provost Emeritus Ed Wilson (’43, P ’91, ’93) welcomed visitors Wednesday to a reception for an awe-inspiring exhibit called “Documenting Change at Wake Forest: Dr. Edwin...

@wakeforestmagazine

Provost Emeritus Ed Wilson (’43, P ’91, ’93) welcomed visitors Wednesday to a reception for an awe-inspiring exhibit called “Documenting Change at Wake Forest: Dr. Edwin Wilson’s Papers at Z. Smith Reynolds Library.” With a twinkle in his eye as guests kept him busy, Wilson said of the exhibit: “I’ve got to come back and see what they’ve found.” The exhibit, curated by Rebecca Petersen May, public services archivist, continues through Feb. 1 in the Special Collection & Archives Research Room. Wilson’s leadership on historical events such as racial integration, study abroad programs, growth of athletic programs and other issues runs broad and deep. In these photos: at Wednesday’s reception with Dean of the College Michele Gillespie; exhibit photo with the late Ed Christman (’50, JD ’53, P ’84). Wilson was dean of the College when the trustees voted to desegregate the University. He and Christman, assistant chaplain who later became chaplain, waited tables in the Magnolia Room to raise money for tuition and travel for Ed Reynolds (’64), a native of Ghana who in 1962 became the first black undergraduate to enroll at Wake Forest. In other photos, the Alexander Meiklejohn Award for Academic Freedom given to Wake Forest in 1978 by the American Association of University Professors, an award that is one of Wilson’s favorite memories; his yearbook photo. @zsrspecial