Red Wilson’s $50-million gift creates leadership college at McMaster
Wilson College" has an old-school ring to it, and rightly so, named as it is after a student who first walked through the stone arches on McMaster University's campus six decades ago.
But in fact it's the future, coming in 2024: the Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement, a program at McMaster dedicated to learning about leadership in all its facets.
It's launching thanks to a $50-million donation from philanthropist Lynton (Red) Wilson, that McMaster officials say is the largest single gift to liberal arts education ever in Canada.
Leadership matters, it's an important piece of the puzzle, whether it's in a family, organization, or government," Wilson told The Spectator. It's especially important in these times of rapid change in every aspect of our lives."
The topic is taught in various ways in universities, but a McMaster news release says Wilson College will be the only program in the country focused exclusively on leadership and civic engagement, and will lead to an honours BA in the discipline.
McMaster president David Farrar agrees with the notion that effective leadership is more an art than science, and accordingly the program will be part of the faculties of humanities and social sciences.
In addition, all students will live in a new Wilson College residence for each of the four years of study. It's a critical part of the initiative, he said, drawing upon the benefits of cocurricular life" seen at venerable universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.
Farrar added that the residence is also a step toward making McMaster less of a commuter-oriented campus: It supports the learning, and it's also just the right thing to do."
Internships and experiential learning" in private industry and public service will be part of the curriculum. Farrar said it will help develop the leaders Canada and the world needs."
As for Red Wilson, Farrar called him a great Canadian, consummate gentleman and extraordinary leader."
A former McMaster chancellor, Wilson graduated in economics in 1962 before embarking on a career that took him to diplomatic posts in Vienna and Tokyo, and executive positions with some of Canada's largest companies.
It was Wilson's time in the private sector, and stock option profits accrued over the years, that spawned his fortune.
I'm pleased to give back, especially on a project like this," he said, adding that it was important McMaster have skin in the game" - nearly $20 million over several years the university will pay for building construction and other program costs.
A recipient of the Order of Canada and the Vanier Medal for public service, he has already gifted more than $30 million to his alma mater through his charitable foundation, supporting initiatives in the arts and Canadian history.
Wilson's name graces the building that is home to the faculties of social sciences and humanities, and he told The Spec he didn't request that the leadership college be named after him, but agreed when McMaster officials suggested it.
The ball is in the university's hands, and I want to make sure they are committed and it's launched the right way."
Leaders he got to know over the years included former Ontario premier Bill Davis, when Wilson was deputy minister of tourism from 1978 to 1981.
He was a good guy, and as a leader wasn't one to yell, he would decide at which point to weigh-in ... I look around the political landscape these days, and it's a pretty mixed bag, is where I come out on it."
Jon Wells is a feature writer at The Spectator. jwells@thespec.com