MEET LANIS WILSON, DA’s New Upper School Director
Kathy McPherson
LANIS WILSON – 15 THINGS ABOUT ME
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anis Wilson began his tenure as Durham Academy’s Upper School Director on July 1. He was selected from more than 125 applicants, and DA administrators, Upper School faculty, parents and students, trustees and alumni participated in the selection process. Wilson follows Lee Hark, who served as Upper School Director for eight years, and now assumes full-time duties as DA’s Associate Head of School. Wilson earned a bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy from Duke University and a master's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. He served as a lecturer at Yale University and later taught and served as English Department chair at The Hopkins School in New Haven, Connecticut. Since arriving at DA in 2002, Wilson has taught various AP English literature and composition classes, as well as AP Psychology and Ethics. His talents as a teacher have earned him repeated recognition as an outstanding educator. Beyond the classroom, Wilson’s administrative responsibilities have included academics, advising, admissions, student wellness and discipline. He was appointed Upper School Dean of Students in 2012. His commitment to and love for both Durham and DA are evident through the many connections he fosters. Since 2004, he has coordinated DA’s annual collaboration with Special Olympics and has a strong commitment to community service. Wilson’s priorities include connecting DA students to their responsibilities in Durham and the larger world, and working to create a community within the school where all students feel they belong.
• 1. I was born and raised in Durham. Many generations of my family lived in East Durham. I actually was born and went to high school in the same building (Watts Hospital/N.C. School of Science and Math). That is the definition of local. I bring a lot of Durham to Durham Academy. • 2. I attended Durham public schools before Science and Math, then Duke as an undergrad and UNC as a grad student in English. I have been in school as a student or teacher for 47 years. (I consider the first four years of my life wasted.) • 3. I am the first in my family to earn a college degree. • 4. I met my wife, Mary, on the first day of graduate school, and we have been married for 27 years. We have two kids, Claude (18) and Maddie (13). • 5. My wife is a Shakespeare scholar at UNC and the wisest person I know. She also is an amazing chef and infinitely patient … qualities I greatly appreciate. • 6. My son starts UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall. He is on the autism spectrum, a freemason and a stand-up comic. He is the most unique individual I have ever met. • 7. My daughter is a rising eighth-grader at Culbreth Middle School. She is a flautist and a basketball player and the funniest person I know. • 8. We have four cats (Rex, Lilith, Pepper and Cheddar), and I usually have one about my person for 2+ hours each day. (It is not always my choice.) This is what happens when your son completes 60+ hours of community service at the animal shelter. • 9. I have voted in every election (local, state and national) since I turned 18. To date I have a low return on my investment. • 10. I wear a monocle. Not just because it bespeaks my genteel nature, but I need it to read my phone. • 11. I am an avid foodie, which is why I love bringing the food trucks to DA. My favorite meal took place at a roadside restaurant outside of Sienna. It lasted six hours and I still have dreams about the wild boar pici. • 12. Duke basketball! • 13. UNC most else. • 14. No Facebook. I find it confusing. • 15. Last summer I read all 21 novels in the Master and Commander series by Patrick O’Brian. I wish there were more. DUR HAM ACADEMY
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SUMMER 2016
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