Gordon A. Melson, who led the development of new graduate programs in the biomedical sciences and other areas, stepped down on June 30 after 15 years as dean of Wake Forest University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences on the university's Reynolda and Bowman Gray campuses.
To honor Dr. Melson for his dedicated service the Gordon A. Melson Outstanding Student Award Fund is being established with a $25,000 endowment fundraising goal. The doctoral and master’s students receiving these awards will receive a cash award and will be recognized during the Hooding and Awards Ceremony in May. Qualifications will include academic record, activity in his or her discipline, as well as university and departmental citizenship.
In his first year at Wake Forest, 19 doctorates and 96 master's degrees were awarded. Last spring, 48 doctorates and 186 master's degrees were awarded. The number of degree-seeking students on the Bowman Gray Campus has risen from 113 to 290 from 1991-92 to 2005-06, while the number on the Reynolda Campus has risen from 351 to 413 during that time.
During Melson's tenure, graduate programs were created in molecular genetics, biomedical engineering, cancer biology, health sciences research, accountancy, and molecular medicine. In recent years, the university also has launched the joint Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, introduced a new Ph.D./MBA program, and reinstated an M.D./Ph.D. degree program.
“I have been associated with the graduate school (as a student and faculty member) since 1973. I have been impressed by the growth in quality and size of our Graduate School of Arts and Sciences under Dean Melson's tenure. This has occurred, I believe, because of his tireless efforts in recruiting, his vision for increasing the quality of our students, and his strong leadership skills. He was also admired as a staunch advocate for students and had a deep concern for their well-being,” said John S. Parks, Ph.D., Professor, Pathology (Lipid Sciences). “I chose to participate in this fund because I wanted to honor Dean Melson for his commitment to our graduate school. I can think of no better way of doing this than by creating a fund in his name that recognizes an outstanding graduate student each year at graduation,” said Dr. Parks.
“My reasons for wanting to participate in the Melson Outstanding Student Award Fund are based on the tremendous impact Dr. Melson has had on Wake Forest Graduate School Education. Thus, it is only fitting to have a named award in his honor,” Dr. Mary Sorci-Thomas said.
This is a unique opportunity to show appreciation for an extraordinary dean. If you would like to make a gift to the Gordon A. Melson Outstanding Student Award Fund, please make your check payable to Wake Forest University School of Medicine and mail to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157. Gifts may also be given online at: www.wfubmc.edu/onlinegift For more information, please contact Helen Dowling, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs at 716-4580.