25-04-2025
Pittsburg State marks 50 years of Wilkinson Alumni Center
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State celebrates one of the first big donations to the school.
The 50th anniversary of the Wilkinson Alumni Center kicked off today with new signage for the building. The building was named for Cecil and Eva Wilkinson, who donated the funds for their nephew Wendell Wilkinson told us they originally didn't want the building named for them, wishing to keep the donation anonymous.
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However, after campaigning by university administration and family members, they cut the ribbon dedicating the building named in their honor in May of 1976. Wendell says Cecil and Eva were 'from the old school' and while they themselves weren't alumni of PSU, they wanted to do something to benefit the future.
'They wanted to help kids. They had no children of their own, and so, they wanted to help children, or kids, young adults, get an education, because they knew the importance of education,' said Wendell Wilkinson, whose uncle and aunt were donors.
The Wilkinson Alumni Center officially opened in November of 1975. The Wilkinson Center serves as a central meeting place for PSU alumni and other community groups.
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