Wilson Commons

Construction Graffiti by UR Student Rick Levine	Flags in Hirst Lounge before they were cancelled.

Joseph Robert Wilson	Katherine Upton Wilson	Joseph Chamberlain Wilson	Marie Curran Wilson	Richard Upton Wilson

Todd Union opened in 1930 and served as the campus student union and dining center for many years.  New dining centers were opened in 1955 for men and women, and numerous proposals were made to expand and/or replace the student union function.  Detailed planning began in 1963 and a large student commons building was included in the 1965 Ten-Year Plan.  The building was named Wilson Commons in 1968 to honor the contributions of Joseph R. Wilson, his children, and their wives. The architectural firm of I. M. Pei & Partners was engaged in 1968 to design the structure, and groundbreaking took place in February 1973.  After numerous delays, the building opened on April 4, 1976.

References
1961 "University to Apply One Million to Great University Program Objective in Next Five Years under Wilson Families' Plan," Rochester Review 23(5):6-7 (May-June 1961)

1962 "Joseph Wilson Dies, Headed Xerox Corp," Democrat and Chronicle, December 13, 1962, Page 25.

1965 "Ten-Year Plan Promises Greater University," Campus Times, April 30, 1965, Page 3. | Part 2 |
A new student union and alumni headquarters – called a "Commons" – will be built opposite Hoyt Hall, between the quad and the Men's quad.  A huge structure, it will be built on what is now Todd road.  current planning calls for a restaurant, movie theatre, lounges and office space to be built in.  There will also be an outdoor terrace, skating rink, meeting rooms, etc.

1966 "Tomorrow On The Campus," Democrat and Chronicle, September 25, 1966, Page 1M. | Part 2 |
Addition to Rush Rhees Library and New Campus Center

1968 "UR Names New Union for Wilson," Democrat and Chronicle, February 2, 1968, Page 9.

1968 "New Student Union to be Named Wilson Commons," Currents, February 5, 1968

1968 "Architects Named for Wilson Commons," Currents, July 1, 1968
The award-winning firm of I. M. Pei & Partners of New York City, architects of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library in Cambridge, Mass., and the Newhouse Communications Center at Syracuse University, will design the UR's new student union, Wilson Commons. This will be the firm's first building in the Rochester area.
The Commons will provide meeting rooms for campus organizations; publications and broadcasting; facilities for student activities; and a snack bar.

1968 "Mrs. Wilson succumbs at 85," Democrat and Chronicle, July 16, 1968, Page 6C.
Mrs. Katherine Upton Wilson, 85, widow of Joseph R. Wilson.

1968 "Mrs. Wilson Gives $5½ Million to UR," Democrat and Chronicle, July 31, 1968, Page 4B.

1971 "Commons Plans Settling, '72 Start May Be Possible," Campus Times, April 27, 1971, Page 1. | Part 2 |

1971 "Commons to Fulfill Long-Awaited Dream," Campus Times, September 17, 1971, Page 1. | Part 2 |

1971 "Xerox Chief Wilson Died at 61," Democrat and Chronicle, November 23, 1971, Page 1. | Part 2 |

1971 "Joe Wilson:  The Most Successful," Democrat and Chronicle, November 23, 1971, Page 1B. | Part 2 |
Xerox, UR to Close in Memory

1971 My years with Xerox; the billions nobody wanted, by John H, Dessauer

1972 City ordinance changing the name of River Boulevard to Joseph C. Wilson Boulevard, January 7, 1972

1972 "Wilson Commons," Rochester Review 34(3):32 (Spring 1972)

1973 "Ground Broken for Commons," Campus Times, February 21, 1973, Page 2.

1973 "River Campus Expansion Shows Progress," Campus Times, March 1, 1973, Page 2.
Groundbreaking ceremonies on Monday, February 19, 1973.

1974 "Area land developer dies at 62," Democrat and Chronicle, October 4, 1974, Page 5B.
Richard U. Wilson

1976 "Wilson Commons Dedication Set for Sunday," Campus Times, April 2, 1976, Page 2. | Part 2 |
Long Wait to End at 2 pm

1976 "Wilson Commons Supplement," Campus Times, April 2, 1976

1976 "Wilson Commons:  New Hub of River Campus," Rochester Review 38(4):7-11 (Summer 1976)

1982 "Delight: The Most Fugitive of Architectural Ingredients," Rochester Review 45(1):8-9 (Fall 1982)
I. M. Pei returns to visit Wilson Commons

1995 "Marie Wilson, widow of former Xerox chief, dies," Democrat and Chronicle, February 1, 1995, Page 2B.

2006 Joe Wilson and the creation of Xerox, by Charles D. Ellis

2021 "President Mangelsdorf decides flag display will not be returning to Hirst Lounge," by Melanie Earle, Campus Times, September 21, 2021

Joseph Chamberlain Wilson, World biographical encyclopedia

© 2021 Morris A. Pierce