Wayne Community College mourns passing of former president
Dr. Ed Wilson spoke at the October 2021 ceremony announcing that Wayne Community College’s administrative suite would be named for him. Wilson died Nov. 23.
GOLDSBORO — Dr. Edward H. Wilson Jr. passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
He served as Wayne Community College’s fourth president for 15 years from 1992-2007 as well as its educational development officer for five years from 1973 – 1978 and associate vice-president for instructional services for two years from 1978-1980.
Dr. Wilson also held positions at the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, North Carolina State University and several grade schools.
He was heavily involved in civic and community organizations in Wayne County as well as state and national educational organizations, ranging from the Boy Scouts of America’s Tuscarora Council and the Wayne County Economic Development Commission to the American Association of Community Colleges and North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents.
Among Dr. Wilson’s accolades were The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 2007; N.C. Association of Educational Office Professionals District 12 Administrator of the Year, 2007; Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Award, 2007; North Carolina Community College President of the Year Award Recipient, 2004; United Way of Wayne County Chairman’s Award, 2002; United Way of Wayne County Emil Rosenthal Award, 2001 and I.E. Ready Award by the N.C. State University Department of Adult and Community College Education, 1994.
He was a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Education/Social Studies and master’s degree in Education Administration/Political Science and N.C. State University with a doctoral degree in Community College Administration/Public School Administration.
Dr. Wilson is survived by his wife Sue, children Sherri and Stephen, and five grandchildren. The official obituary for Dr. Wilson is posted on the J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home webpage (https://obits.jhenrystuhr.com/edward-wilson-jr).
A memorial service is being planned for Goldsboro. Details are incomplete at this time.
“With the passing of Dr. Ed Wilson, we have lost a man who left a tremendous mark not only on this college and the North Carolina Community College System, but also on this community and this state. I started my career at Wayne Community College 28 years ago under President Wilson. He had a significant influence on my career and I am highly honored to be able to work in a suite the college named for him,” said current WCC President Patricia Pfeiffer. “Dr. Wilson set an example that is rigorous for any successor to follow, from his community involvement, particularly with economic development organizations, to the way he enabled the expansion of technology in both instruction and services on the WCC campus. I am grateful that he left such a legacy. Simply put, Dr. Wilson was a good man. Everyone on this campus, in our community, and far beyond who knew him is feeling a sense of loss. We offer our sincerest condolences to his wife Sue and his family and share that they will always have a home on the Wayne Community College campus.”
— From Wayne Community College Public Information
