Dec. 7 Memorial Service to be Held for Melford Wilson Jr.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Winthrop University community will come together for a Celebration of Life ceremony to remember the late Melford Wilson Jr. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Olde Stone House.

The two-hour event begins at 1 p.m. with a short program starting at 1:30 p.m. Wilson passed away on Nov. 1 at his Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, home.

During his 50 years at Winthrop, Wilson had a tremendous impact. When he retired in 2017, he had served in many capacities including as political science faculty member, department chair, International Center director, and vice president of academic affairs.

The Department of Political Science honored him in 2017 for his 50 years of service to the university, including creating one of the university’s outstanding programs - Model United Nations. First held on campus in 1977 under Wilson’s direction, the Model United Nations has brought more than 5,000 Winthrop students and 15,000 high school students together over the years to reenact the proceedings that take place at the New York City-based international organization. Each conference is different as it debates the issues of the day through resolutions and welcomes international keynote speakers.

During his time at Winthrop, Wilson received multiple Fulbright grants, traveling and teaching most extensively in China and ultimately receiving the key to the city of Shanghai. He wrote about these experiences in his book “Here Comes China: One American's Experiences in the People's Republic, 1979-2018.”

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Wilson grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from D.W. Daniel High School in Clemson. He graduated from Wofford College and earned his Ph.D. in international relations from American University. He also served on the Rock Hill City Council from 1978-84.

Jennifer Disney, political science professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, Philosophy, Religion and Legal Studies, said that one way Wilson’s legacy lives on is through students who benefit from the two endowed scholarships in his name.

Give a gift here and select the fund from the dropdown list:

• Melford A. Wilson, Jr. International Endowment (1259)
  • Established by the family, friends and colleagues of Melford A. Wilson, Jr., for the purpose of providing scholarships for students to participate in study abroad programs. 
• Melford Wilson Endowed International Relations Fund (1833)
  • This fund honors Melford Wilson and was established to provide support to the Model United Nations program at Winthrop University.

For more information, contact Disney at disneyj@winthrop.edu.