Freshman Academy named in honor of Wilson

Grand Valley’s Freshman Academy, a support program sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Advising Resources and Special Programs, has been renamed in memory of Oliver Wilson.

That announcement was made Friday, October 2, during a memorial service for Wilson, dean of Multicultural Affairs, who died August 31 at age 44.

President Thomas J. Haas made the announcement and said it was fitting, as an important element of the academy is peer mentoring. “The mentorship component of Freshman Academy was important to Oliver, who believed that peer mentors gained just as much, if not more, from their partnerships with their academy students,” Haas said.

Since it was established in 2003, nearly 300 students have participated in the academy. The program offers comprehensive services to students who have a strong potential for academic success, and who are the first in their families to attend college or from an underrepresented high school.

Haas introduced Christina Jackson, one of the first academy participants. She is now a graduate assistant in OMA. Jackson graduated from Grand Valley with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and is now enrolled in the College and Student Affairs Leadership program.

Jackson said she admired Wilson for his leadership skills. “He would always lend encouraging advice and he never let us forget our potential,” she said.

Wilson was named dean of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in 2003. Prior to that, he worked for Grand Valley's Admissions office and had served as its associate director of minority recruitment. He joined Grand Valley's staff in 1997.