2/1/2011 - D. Wilson announces retirement after 25 years

By Michael J. Brooks

 After nearly 25 years at the helm of Judson College's financial aid office, Doris Wilson is calling it quits. Her retirement is set for March 9.

"We have plane tickets and will leave for Vancouver, Wash. two days later to visit our daughter and granddaughter," Wilson said.

"I plan to spend a lot of time visiting family in my retirement."

Wilson is the youngest of five children and said her family is scattered across the nation.

In addition to daughter Caroline and her husband Wei, the Wilsons have a son, Chad, in Jefferson, Ark. and fraternal twin grandchildren in Saraland, Ala.

Born and raised in Arkansas, Doris Wilson received a bachelor's degree from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and a master's degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. It was at Ouachita that she met her husband, Thomas, who teaches biology at Judson.

The Wilsons moved to Marion in 1972 when Thomas Wilson accepted a teaching position at the college. Doris Wilson worked part-time at the college's Child Development Center and teaching classes in child development before moving to the financial aid office in 1986.

Wilson said the major responsibility of her office is administering scholarships and grants from state, federal and outside sources. She also deals with loans and work study assignments through which students earn money for their education.

She said her work has been very gratifying.

"I've found a lot of satisfaction in helping families get the money they need and to navigate the sometimes complicated waters of scholarships and grants," she said.

"It's rewarding to play a role in making it possible for students to study here."

Wilson said she'll miss the interaction with co-workers as well, since she's found her fellow employees collegial and professional.

Wilson was the second recipient of the Alumnae Association's "Past Presidents Award for Staff Excellence" in 2004. According to guidelines, recipients of the award are evaluated on a number of things, including service to Judson, dependability, accomplishments, job involvement, interpersonal relationships, positive attitude, involvement in the campus community and willingness to accept responsibility.

Wilson said she intends to take on some new hobbies in retirement, including quilting.

"My sister is a skilled quilter," she said. "I used to be a seamstress, so I want to take up this new challenge and a few others."

Wilson said her March retirement is a good time to bring in a replacement before the "crunch time" in summer when the financial aid office is in overdrive.

"Doris has been a colleague and a friend to me since I joined the staff at Judson," said admissions vice-president Charlotte Clements. 

"She has taught me everything I know about financial aid and advised me on many other matters in my professional career. She's also been a dear friend and Christian example to me. We will miss her terribly."

*Article courtesy of the Judson College Public Relations Department.

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