In memoriam: John D. Wilson, former executive vice president for academic affairs and provost

John D. Wilson, who was Virginia Tech’s executive vice president for academic affairs and provost from 1975 to 1982 before he served as president of Washington and Lee University from 1983 to 1995, died March 2. He was 81.

A public memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at 3 p.m. in Lee Chapel on the Washington and Lee campus in Lexington.

In 2000, Wilson was honored with the William H. Ruffner Medal, Virginia Tech’s highest honor. He was selected by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors because he was “the epitome of a scholar and a leader whose love of learning has permeated every facet of his life." He was credited with "transforming Virginia Tech into a comprehensive university that values the arts and humanities along with the sciences and engineering, and by establishing the university's intellectual agenda as paramount."

Additional information on Wilson can be found at:

• Virginia Tech website: Former Provost Wilson honored with Tech's Ruffner Medal
• Washington and Lee website: John D. Wilson, Former W&L President, Dies at 81
• Roanoke Times (editorial): A scholar and a gentleman
• Roanoke Times: John Wilson moved Washington and Lee