[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 207 (Wednesday, December 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1292-E1293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO DR. STEVE AARON WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2021

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a life-
long educator who has had a tremendous impact on the students of South 
Carolina. It is my honor to congratulate Dr. Steve Wilson, as he 
retires after more than 50 years of service to public education. He 
leaves a legacy of excellence that will continue to benefit future 
generations.
  Dr. Wilson was born in Fairfield County, South Carolina, the oldest 
of nine children born to Aaron and Lugenia Wilson. From an early age, 
his parents instilled in him the importance of education to rise above 
the modest means of his childhood. Dr. Wilson graduated from McCrorey-
Liston High School in Blair, South Carolina, where he excelled in 
academics and athletics.
  He was able to secure scholarships, work study, financial aid and 
student loans to pay for his higher education at Benedict College in 
Columbia, South Carolina. There he earned a degree in biology and built 
friendships and relationships that lasted throughout his life.

[[Page E1293]]

While a student, he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and I am proud 
to call him a brother.
  Immediately after graduating in 1972, Dr. Wilson was drafted into the 
U.S. Army, where he served on active duty for two years before joining 
the Reserves. He rose to the rank of Major and served as Personnel 
Officer of his battalion. His military service lasted a total of 15 
years, and provided him significant opportunities to travel and learn 
from people with different backgrounds and experiences.
  Following his active duty military service, Dr. Wilson returned to 
his high school to teach science and agriculture. At the same time, he 
used the GI Bill to earn a master's degree in agriculture from Clemson 
University. While teaching, he became interested in school leadership, 
and began studying for an Ed.S. in School Administration at Winthrop 
University. He later transferred to South Carolina State University, 
where he completed an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in 2001.
  In addition to beginning his career as a teacher at his alma mater, 
Dr. Wilson served in the administrations of Winnsboro/Fairfield Central 
High School, Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, Newberry High School, 
W.J. Keenan High School, and Richland School District One. Today, he 
serves as Superintendent for Calhoun County Public Schools, from which 
he is retiring after eleven years of service.
  His accomplishments include being named the first Black principal of 
Newberry High School where he served for six years and oversaw the 
school's strong academic performance. While serving as principal of 
Keenan High School, Dr. Wilson was named South Carolina Principal of 
the Year in 2003. He oversaw the school becoming the first Science, 
Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) School in the district 
while partnering with the University of South Carolina's Engineering 
School. Keenan High School was also named a Palmetto's Finest High 
School for the State of South Carolina, and the school, which serves a 
disadvantaged population, made school history with 15 Black students 
attaining a 100 percent pass rate on the AP Math exam.
  In 2010, he became Superintendent of the Calhoun County School 
District, which was rated At Risk on the District's Report Card. Within 
two years, he led the district to an Excellent rating. He oversaw the 
district's purchase of digital devices for every student from 3rd 
through 12th grades, and was named South Carolina Superintendent of the 
Year in 2017 for his accomplishments.
  During his career, Dr. Wilson served on various committees including 
the Executive Committee of the South Carolina High School League, the 
Education Oversight Committee, and the State's Summer Leadership 
Conference Committee. He also received the Governor's Order of the 
Silver Crescent in 2004 and was named an outstanding graduate from the 
School of Leadership at South Carolina State University the same year. 
This year, Dr. Wilson was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the 
South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
  Dr. Wilson is married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa Hendrix 
Wilson, who also taught high school students for thirty years. They 
have two children, Teresa and Steven, and three granddaughters.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the tremendous work of Dr. Wilson. He exemplifies a commitment to 
service and a champion of education. His example has been a beacon for 
many students that have had the opportunity of learning in classrooms, 
schools, and districts under his leadership. Dr. Wilson's reach is 
immeasurable, and I wish him all the best as he embarks on the 
retirement he so richly deserves.

                          ____________________