STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — James Albertson was the President of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 1962-1967. During the Vietnam War, Albertson led a mission of 8 educators to Vietnam to study their educational system and to try and better it. Albertson and his entire team would be killed on their way back from that mission as their plane crashed.
Alberson was honored Wednesday as this marks the 50th anniversary of his death. Many family members of Albertson and Albertson’s team were in attendance for the ceremony. UWSP Chancellor, Bernie Patterson, was very pleased to see them make it.
He said, “It was very meaningful to see the families come together, because, until today, most of them had not met each other. And to have them come together as a group, just as their loved ones did in 1967, is very meaningful.”
Mr. Patterson says that Albertson’s legacy continues to live on at UW-Stevens Point.
“Well, we’ve just rededicated this building as Albertson Hall,” said Patterson. “And, also, at each graduation, we award to no more than 1% of the graduating class the Albertson Medallion, which recognizes our top students in terms of leadership, scholarship, and service to the university and the community.”
Chancellor Patterson also announced at the ceremony the school was creating a $1,000 scholarship in the name of James Albertson and his wife, Janice. The scholarship will be available for first-year students.
