Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction Richard Burton Wilson (February 28, 1931-) was born in Durham, North Carolina, the only son in a family of four children. He was a Depression baby, born late in the lives of his parents. Although Wilson's parents had little education themselves, they had significant influence on their children's education. Wilson recalls that once when he forgot his books, his mother told him that she "wanted to see him in those books and she wanted to see him studying!" Wilson received his degrees from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: an A.B. degree, with a major in United States history in 1953; an E.Ed, degree in education, with a major in United States history in 1955; and an M.S.P.H. degree, with a major in environmental science in 1964. In 1967, he attended the Geography Institute for Elementary School Principals and Teachers at the University of Georgia, Athens, and then earned twelve hours of postmaster's credit in administration from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Prior to his appointment to Appalachian State University in 1967, Professor Wilson taught social studies in the Kannapolis city schools (North Carolina) ; Florida High Demonstration School—Florida State University, Tallahassee; and at Southwest Forsyth High School, Clemmons, North Carolina (1953-58). From 1958 to 1961, Wilson taught seventh- and eighth-grade math and science classes in Pittsboro High School, Pittsboro, North Carolina. After working as a laboratory researcher (1962-63) and a research associate (1964-65) at Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, he served as principal of the Raleigh, North Carolina, city schools from 1965 to 1967. Professor Wilson was tenured at Appalachian State University in September 1973. Wilson's professional affiliations have included the National Council of Social Studies, the National Education Association, the North Carolina Education Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Phi Delta Kappa. Wilson retired from Appalachian State in June of 1993, and he was awarded the rank of professor emeritus in September of 1993. His wife, Margaret, who was one of the first students he taught, is now a retired school psychologist. They have three grown children, Eric, Georgia, and Teressa, and three grandchildren. Retirement finds Wilson enjoying his favorite hobbies of reading, especially historical novels—both fictional and biographical works—and spending as much of his time as possible outdoors, either gardening or boating. The Wilson's reside in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Sources: Appalachian State University files. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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