Friend of Pharmacy

UHCOP Honors UH Alumnus, Former UHS Regent Welcome Wilson Sr. for Rallying Support of College Priorities

University of Houston College of Pharmacy Dean F. Lamar Pritchard, Ph.D., R.Ph., hailed the efforts of UH icon Welcome Wilson Sr., chairman of GSL Welcome Group LLC, UH alumnus and former chair of the UH System Board of Regents, in gathering support for many of the college's initiatives and leadership of the UH Tier One campaign.

In recognition of his staunch dedication to UH and UHCOP and his leadership on the UH System during a period of unparalleled growth across the entire UH System, Wilson recently was honored with UHCOP's 2017 Meritorious Achievement Award.

Among the initiatives that Wilson championed in recent years are funding for construction of UH's Health Building 2, which serves as the new home for the College of Pharmacy as well as the UH Student Health Center and other units, and greater awareness of the funding disparity issue by which health system-associated colleges of pharmacy in Texas receive higher tuition reimbursement than other colleges, such as UHCOP, that are not directly associated with a health system.

"The impact of his service to the college and the entire UH System will resonate across the campus, the state and the nation for decades to come as UH's national reputation continues to climb and more people recognize what a unique, exceptional institution UH has become," Pritchard said. "Former Regent Wilson has stated that his greatest accomplishment as Chairman of the UH System Board of Regents was the hiring of Chancellor Renu Khator."

Wilson is one of the most storied individuals to graduate from UH. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Wilson held a variety of jobs beginning at the age of 7 when he took the initiative to help stack lunch trays at his elementary school. From there, he worked as a radio newscaster and DJ, a longshoreman and drummer before he and his brother began attending UH. Before graduating UH with a business degree, Wilson found success as business manager for the Daily Cougar newspaper and met his future bride.

Wilson served as a naval officer in Japan during the Korean War after graduating at the top of his academy class. He served under three U.S. presidents, including serving as U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua, and earned distinction as one of the "10 Outstanding Young Men in Federal Service." Turning his attention to real estate and business, Wilson was once part owner of the Houston Astros and responsible for the development of Jamaica Beach and Tiki Island — now both incorporated cities — in Galveston County as well as thousands of homes, apartments, office buildings and other properties. In addition to his position in GSL, Wilson is a principal in in Kingham Dalton Wilson Ltd. and serves on the board of the Greater Houston Partnership, as well as chairing GHP's Higher Education Committee.

Wilson and his wife have five children, including current UH System Vice Chairman Welcome Wilson Jr., and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.