About the Symposium
The Teaching, Learning, + Research Symposium is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Dawn K. Wilson (1962-2019), an extraordinary educator, mentor, and friend to countless individuals within the Houston Baptist University community and beyond.
The symposium represents an endeavor that she envisioned and brought to life over 12 years ago. She established this event as an opportunity to provide students, colleagues, and community members with a special celebration of teaching, learning, and research. From this point forward, the symposium will carry on the legacy of this singular individual. Dr. Wilson impacted countless lives through her passion for education, heart for service, and devotion to mentorship, all to the glory of God.
From the start of her courageous battle with cancer, Dr. Wilson felt determined to follow the admonition of Psalm 90:12, which offers this encouragement: "Teach us to use wisely all the time we have."
She dedicated her life to making each day count, and she purposed to glorify her Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived each day to the fullest because of her deep and faithful love that never once wavered. She worked diligently to reflect Christ's love, and she lived to see much of its harvest. Her greatest loves included her devoted husband Dr. Randy Wilson, a Professor of Sociology at HBU, as well as her cherished daughter Emily and son-in-law John, and her precious grandson, Jamie.
Dr. Wilson devoted her life to making each day count as an educator. She initially taught math to middle schoolers in San Antonio, Plano, and Sugar Land. In 1999, she earned her M.Ed. from HBU, and in 2006, her Ed.D. from the University of Houston.
In 1999, Dr. Wilson began teaching at HBU, guiding both undergraduate and graduate students in their preparation to become educators. While fighting her battle with cancer, she continued to teach full time. The opportunity to be involved in the learning of her students motivated her to press on in spite of her illness.
Dr. Wilson was a faithful friend and caring colleague to countless individuals over the years. Many of her close contacts centered on her professional life, as she endeavored to teach and mentor future teachers. She worked closely with others for years in this collaborative journey, focusing her final days on teaching, advising, and mentoring in ways she hoped mattered most.
From an early age and into her battle with cancer, Dr. Wilson’s faith was a light, a shield, and a map. She never doubted in her hope and truly experienced God’s presence in her life each day. She drew her unfailing strength from His Spirit and was able to live out a testimony of her trust – not in a long life here and now, but rather in her certain faith in a promised eternity.
"And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die." Philippians 1:24
The symposium represents an endeavor that she envisioned and brought to life over 12 years ago. She established this event as an opportunity to provide students, colleagues, and community members with a special celebration of teaching, learning, and research. From this point forward, the symposium will carry on the legacy of this singular individual. Dr. Wilson impacted countless lives through her passion for education, heart for service, and devotion to mentorship, all to the glory of God.
From the start of her courageous battle with cancer, Dr. Wilson felt determined to follow the admonition of Psalm 90:12, which offers this encouragement: "Teach us to use wisely all the time we have."
She dedicated her life to making each day count, and she purposed to glorify her Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived each day to the fullest because of her deep and faithful love that never once wavered. She worked diligently to reflect Christ's love, and she lived to see much of its harvest. Her greatest loves included her devoted husband Dr. Randy Wilson, a Professor of Sociology at HBU, as well as her cherished daughter Emily and son-in-law John, and her precious grandson, Jamie.
Dr. Wilson devoted her life to making each day count as an educator. She initially taught math to middle schoolers in San Antonio, Plano, and Sugar Land. In 1999, she earned her M.Ed. from HBU, and in 2006, her Ed.D. from the University of Houston.
In 1999, Dr. Wilson began teaching at HBU, guiding both undergraduate and graduate students in their preparation to become educators. While fighting her battle with cancer, she continued to teach full time. The opportunity to be involved in the learning of her students motivated her to press on in spite of her illness.
Dr. Wilson was a faithful friend and caring colleague to countless individuals over the years. Many of her close contacts centered on her professional life, as she endeavored to teach and mentor future teachers. She worked closely with others for years in this collaborative journey, focusing her final days on teaching, advising, and mentoring in ways she hoped mattered most.
From an early age and into her battle with cancer, Dr. Wilson’s faith was a light, a shield, and a map. She never doubted in her hope and truly experienced God’s presence in her life each day. She drew her unfailing strength from His Spirit and was able to live out a testimony of her trust – not in a long life here and now, but rather in her certain faith in a promised eternity.
"And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die." Philippians 1:24