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Dr. Buck Wilson: An ENMU Legend
By Noelle Bartl
ENMU lost a volunteer legend this summer. Dr. Buck Wilson (BS 60) died on June 25, 2023, at age 86.
Dr. Wilson served as an ENMU Regent from 1979-1985, including a term as president. He was a founding member of the ENMU Foundation (formerly known as Friends of Eastern Foundation) when it was just an idea among friends wanting to help ENMU in 1976 and officially became a nonprofit in August 1978. From their initial $50 contributions and years of advocating for the University, the ENMU Foundation has contributed over $42 million to support ENMU programs and scholarships.
Dr. Wilson served as the ENMU Foundation president from 1978–2002, then as treasurer from 2002–2023, and was honored with Emeritus status on June 3, 2023, at the ENMU Foundation board meeting. He was also instrumental in establishing ENMU’s Educator Hall of Honor, Athletics Hall of Honors, and the Greyhound Club.
“There are too many contributions to catalog because Buck represents the very best of Eastern,” said retired ENMU Chancellor Dr. Patrice Caldwell. “His most meaningful contribution is that he never stopped contributing.”
Wilson completed an engineering degree from Eastern in 1960 and entered the Air Force. He was sent to Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and met Ira Shannon, a researcher who was credited with discovering the importance of fluoride to tooth health. It was Shannon who encouraged Wilson to enter dental school.
He completed dental school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1968 and opened his Portales dental office.
“Uncle Buck,” as many called him, did not stop at supporting the Portales campus. While on the Commission for Higher Education, he was instrumental in helping the Ruidoso community secure initial approval for the future ENMU-Ruidoso campus. According to alumna Sandy Gladden (BS 72) and the ENMU-Ruidoso Foundation Board vice president, “There was a moratorium against additional sites for higher education in New Mexico. Buck guided us through the process, championed our presentation to the CHE, and made the motion to approve our application after our presentation.”
Noelle Bartl (BS 92), executive director for the ENMU Foundation, stated, “Buck taught me so much about giving back to one’s community, connecting the dots of opportunity, asking the tough questions, and loving everyone always. I don’t believe you can find another volunteer that has worked so hard for so long nor had as monumental an impact on ENMU. Buck will be missed dearly, but his legacy will continue in all these traditions.”
“The largest contribution Buck has made to ENMU is his love and enthusiasm for the university,” said Stephen Doerr (BS 77), president of the ENMU Foundation. “The title of ambassador is overused these days, but I have always believed that Buck is the best and most influential ambassador Eastern has ever had.”
