The leadership and legacy of one of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s former presidents lives on in the newest building on campus through the naming of the James H. Albertson Legacy Commons.
James Albertson, the eighth president of the then Wisconsin State College-Stevens Point (WSC-SP) from 1962-1967, led the university through years of rapid enrollment growth, new buildings and programs across campus and plans for a new fine arts and learning resource building.
Students were not the product of higher education, he said, but rather that product should be “an environment of learning.” To that end, he took an active role in the vision and planning of what would be named the Albertson Center for Learning Resources in 1970.
In 1966, Albertson headed a team of the first study of public higher education in Vietnam. Tragedy struck during a second trip in March of 1967 when the team’s plane went down during a rainstorm north of Saigon, with no survivors. The group had been chosen for the study through the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the U.S. State Department’s Agency of International Development (USAID).
Located on the first floor of UW-Stevens Point’s new Kirby Library and Student Resource Center, the Albertson Commons serves as both a welcoming gathering place and a tribute to one of the most influential leaders in the history of the UW–Stevens Point, said Interim Chancellor Pratima Gandhi. “The space celebrates his vision of education, student success, global engagement and lifelong learning.”
A permanent Legacy Wall highlights a photo of James Albertson and describes his story.
“More than a memorial, the Albertson Commons gives students and visitors a vantage point to view the very principles that guided Albertson’s leadership: intellectual curiosity, service to others, innovation in education and commitment to student success,” said Gandhi. “Just as Albertson envisioned a learning resources center that brought together every tool available to promote learning, the commons is the symbolic heart of the Kirby Library and Student Resource Center—a place where the university’s history inspires its future.”
“James Albertson believed that a library was more than books – rather, it was to be a multi-faceted resource for students,” said Gretel Stock, dean of the University College. “His legacy of creating an environment of learning is why we honor him today with the naming of the Albertson Commons – a section of the new library that serves students by offering 24-hour study, academic support and financial assistance all on one place.”
He is also memorialized through the university’s highest student honor, the Albertson Medallion Award, which recognizes the top students in leadership, scholarship and service each May.
Albertson was only 36 years old when he was named president of WSC-SP. He had previously served as the executive assistant to the president of Ball State University and in academic and student affairs roles at Colorado State University. He earned degrees at Colorado State College and Stanford University.
During his tenure, the institution was renamed to Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point, the student body and faculty numbers more than doubled and new majors included those in cultural literacy, speech pathology and audiology, physical education for women, business administration and forestry. These programs are still growing and thriving today through undergraduate and graduate offerings.
The Student Affairs division and the university foundation were created, graduate degrees increased and construction included the Collins Classroom Center, Science Building, an addition to the University Center, new residence halls and two new residence centers. He also worked toward development of a faculty senate and plans for overseas study.
“In his eulogy, it was said of James Albertson that his time at this university was short, yet it left a permanent imprint on every aspect of life at UWSP,” said Gandhi. “He truly exemplified a vision for modern higher education, creating a legacy of institutional development in Wisconsin and Vietnam. We continue that tradition today through collaboration, innovation and growth in student and purpose-centered learning and resources at UW-Stevens Point.”