West Virginia Universitys C.B. Wilson has channeled musics charms into a cordial personal style that creates civility and comforteven in the worst of times, says Russ Dean

By his very nature, he brings out the best in those with whom he works,said Dean, WVU s senior associate provost.Tensions diminish, anger eases and reasonableness becomes the norm when C.B. is engaged in difficult circumstances. He achieves an optimum environment for social justice to be achieved, not only by his skills in dealing with people, but through his values and personal belief in the dignity and worth of all people.

Those qualities helped Wilson, associate provost for academic personnel, earn the 2009 Neil S. Bucklew Award for Social Justice.

I was delighted to make the telephone call informing C.B. Wilson of his selection as the recipient of the Neil S. Bucklew Award for Social Justice,said Jennifer McIntosh, executive officer for social justice.C.B. joins an impressive group of individuals who have received this recognition. He embodies the values of fairness and doing the right thing in every dealing with others. He is truly a WVU treasure.

Wilsons skills as a goodwill ambassador are essential to his success as an administrator. He is the principal deputy in all matters involving faculty hiring, promotion, tenure and appeal. He is also responsible for matters relating to University faculty awards, sabbatical leaves and a variety of professional development programs.

His exercise of good judgment is legendary across the campus,Dean said.He is careful to listen, eager to understand, open to all views, logical in his explanations and, above all, respectful of people without regard to their demeanor or station in life.

Wilson was chairman of the WVU Division of Music from 1977 to 1993 and served as interim dean and associate dean of WVU s College of Creative Arts. Prior to arriving at WVU , he was assistant dean of the Cleveland Institute of Music and held other teaching positions at Case Western Reserve University and Northwestern University.

He earned a bachelors degree in music education and a masters from Northwestern University, and a doctorate from Case Western Reserve. He has served the National Association of Schools of Music as chair of the ethics committee and as chair, vice chair and secretary for the organizations Region 6 and is past president of the West Virginia College Music Educators Association. He is the director of the municipal band here and is active as a program evaluator, adjudicator and guest conductor.