About “Red” Wilson

L.R. “Red” Wilson, an accomplished Canadian business and public service leader and philanthropist, is an Officer of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Vanier Medal for public service. He has been an extraordinary champion of McMaster University for six decades, serving as Chancellor from 2007 to 2013, as a member of the Board of Governors from 1983 to 1991 and as chair of the Changing Tomorrow Today fundraising campaign from 1999 to 2001.

Wilson, ’62, attended McMaster on a four-year academic scholarship and was a varsity athlete. He has a master’s degree from Cornell University and is the recipient of honorary degrees from seven Canadian universities, including McMaster in 1995. He co-founded the Historica Foundation of Canada and is the former chair and a member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee on the Public Service.

Wilson’s philanthropy at McMaster has focused on investing in the liberal arts, leadership and student success. L. R. Wilson Hall is named in recognition of his many contributions. His generosity has supported the Future of Canada Project, the Wilson Leaders program, the Wilson Institute for Canadian History, the L.R. Wilson Chair in Canadian History, the Socrates Project, the L.R. Wilson/Bell Canada Enterprises Chair in Data Communications, the athletics and recreation centre and Adopt-an-Athlete, the Centre for Foresight & Change Leadership and student bursaries.

His $50 million gift to create the Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement is the single-biggest gift to the liberal arts in Canada.