Rudolph G. Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rudolph G. Wilson
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Rudolph Wilson on the stage at the Metcalf Theatre at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2010.
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| Born | June 17, 1935 |
| Died | December 4, 2017 (aged 82) |
| Education | Los Angeles State College, Washington University in St. Louis, University of California at Los Angeles, Stanford University, Claremont Graduate University |
| Occupation | Professor, writer. |
| Spouse(s) | Sandrah Lavernn Wilson |
Rudolph G. Wilson (born June 17, 1935 – died December 4, 2017) was an American professor, writer, and amazing storyteller. His students often called him Papa Rudy. He made history as the first African American to join the Edwardsville School Board. Later, he became its first elected Black president.
In 1965, at Claremont Grad School, he was the first African American teacher in a school that was all white. Until he retired in 2009, he worked at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He was the Assistant Provost for Cultural and Social Diversity. He also taught as an Associate Professor of Secondary Education.
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Life and Teaching Career
Rudolph Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan. He finished River Rouge High School in 1953. He was among the top ten students in his class.
He studied at UCLA for three years. This was from 1953 to 1955. Then, he joined the army and served from 1955 to 1958. After the army, he went back to Los Angeles State College. He finished his degree in English there.
He later earned his master's degree from Claremont Graduate University. He also did more studies at other universities. These included Washington University in St. Louis and Stanford University.
In 1965, he returned to Claremont. A friend invited him to teach English at Claremont High School. He became the first African American to teach at this school. At that time, it was an all-white school.
On June 17, 1969, he started working at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Soon after, he became the assistant provost for Cultural and Social Diversity. He also became a professor in the School of Education. He worked there until he retired in 2009.
Fighting for Fairness
In the early 1970s, Professor Wilson worked with student teachers. He would visit different high schools to help and guide them. One day, he visited Granite City High School. It was made very clear to him that he was not welcome. This was simply because of the color of his skin.
He went to supervise student teachers there. But the school did not accept him. When he returned to the university, they took action. The university decided not to send student teachers to Granite City. This would continue until the school accepted anyone SIUE sent. Race would not matter.
This problem lasted for over ten years. Finally, in 1991, a person named Mr. Randy Burgess helped. He broke Granite City's unwritten rule about student teachers.
In 2017, a newspaper in Granite City apologized to Wilson. The editor, Mona Zubi, wrote an article. She encouraged readers to learn from stories like Rudy's. She wanted people to reflect on how others were treated unfairly.
A Gifted Storyteller
Rudolph Wilson was a wonderful storyteller. He often performed "one-man shows." He also did role-playing about important African-American historical figures.
He volunteered to tell stories at local children's libraries. He also worked at the Col. Benjamin Stevenson house in Edwardsville. He shared stories about how important education is. He also taught about appreciating different cultures at SIUE.
Retirement and Honors
Professor Wilson retired from SIUE in 2009. In 2010, many people honored him. These included educators, colleagues, and former students. A special book was written for him. It was called Multiculturalism in the Age of the Mosaic: Essays in Honor of Rudolph G. Wilson. Many scholars, friends, and family members from around the world wrote chapters for this book.
Family and Community Work
Rudolph Wilson was married to Sandra LaVernne King Wilson for many years. They lived in Edwardsville, Illinois since about 1970. They had four children: two sons and two daughters.
He traveled a lot and welcomed students and scholars from all over the world. A Nigerian poet, Remi Raji, called him a "patron and father." He said Wilson was "The American who was a true African."
After he retired, he helped the Venice, Illinois school district. The state of Illinois had removed its school board. Wilson became the chairman of a special financial panel. Under his leadership, the school's money problems were fixed. The school district became financially stable again.
Awards and Recognition
Rudolph Wilson received many awards during his life.
- SIUE's Teaching Excellence Award
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award
- The Hudlin Award for Humanistic Teaching
- The Great Teacher Award
- The Kimmel Leadership Center Award. This award is for faculty who help the community.
He was also named Educator of the Year by the St. Louis American newspaper. The Rotary Foundation honored him as a Paul Harris Fellow. This award is given to people who help build understanding and friendship between people worldwide.
His Final Days
Rudolph Wilson passed away on December 4, 2017. He died at the Eden Village Care Center in Glen Carbon, Illinois.
