Date:
10/19/2002
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Carolyn Edwards
PORTALES – Dr. Buck Wilson, a Portales dentist, has been named the recipient of the first annual Volunteer of the Year award from the Friends of Eastern Foundation at Eastern New Mexico University. He received the award at the 27th Annual Friends of Eastern Foundation Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 19, in the Campus Union Ballroom.
In 1978, Dr. Wilson and a group of fellow alumni organized the Friends of Eastern Foundation to assist the university with raising funds for scholarships and University needs. Dr. Wilson was elected president of the Foundation and continues to wear that hat with pride. The continuity that Dr. Wilson provides has been invaluable to the growth and success of the Foundation.
Dr. Wilson graduated from ENMU in 1960 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering and math. He joined the Air Force and was assigned to the Brooks Aerospace Medical Center in San Antonio.
After taking an interest in dentistry, Dr. Wilson went on to graduate from University of Missouri-Kansas City, dental college in 1968 and returned to Portales where he founded his dental practice.
Since returning to Portales, he has been active in community organizations. A member of the Portales Rotary Club for more than 25 years, he served as president from 1984-1985. He was president of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, served as the first president of the New Mexico Academy of General Dentistry, and was on the Board of Directors for the National Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Wilson served on the ENMU Board of Regents from 1979-84 and on the Commission on Higher Education from 1989-95.
In past years, he was also honored for his "Distinguished Service" to the University by the Eastern Alumni Association, and he was inducted to the Athletic Hall of Honors.
Buck Wilson