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Ron Wilson, a California university ombuds for more than 30 years and founder of this Journal, passed away September 12, 2012. His legacy and tradition are strong and will influence ombuds for decades to come.
His life to this day, reflects a human being who was guided by a vision deep within his heart to help others. Ron had an uncanny ability to know just what to say and do when the most challenging of conflicts presented themselves to the UC Irvine community. Despite the extremely challenging health issues that Ron lived with, he was able to serve with amazing and steadfast endurance.
The Office of the Ombudsman was established on the campus of UC Irvine in 1978. Ron built the Office on the best traditions of the om-buds-mon whose roots embrace the time honored principles of fairness, equity, justice and the wisdom to see the value in compromise and forgiveness. When in his presence, you could feel his compassion and be enlightened by his skill to help you to see things in a different way, a way to move forward. A way that helped the community recover its balance when in the throes of conflict.
Ron was not ever afraid to ask the questions that needed to be asked. He was a consistent and penetrating voice of humanity, reason and conscience. Ron had a keen intellect and brilliant sense of humor. He knew how to put you at ease and get to heart of what mattered most.
Beyond the borders of the UC Irvine community, Ron extended himself to make significant and memorable contributions to the ombudsman profession at large. He was a vibrant force and presence in contributing to the posterity of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds (CCCUO) which was founded in 1973.
Being the visionary that he was, Ron was founder and editor of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds Journal. Ron was the sole editor of the journal for the first eleven years of its inception in 1987. The Journal was created to be a mechanism for the CCCUO membership to submit relevant scholarly papers of critical and reflective thinking to be shared with other practicing ombuds nationally and internationally.
Ron was also a recipient of the “Pete Small Award”, the highest honor bestowed by the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. The “Pete Small Award” recognized
those who had an unwavering commitment to the preservation of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds unique identity and posterity while making noteworthy contributions to the ombudsman profession in a scholarly and meaningful way.
Ron walked the path that calls those who would take on the burden that humanity needs most when they lose their way through conflict. Ron, the gentile giant with a courageous and magnanimous heart, answered the call. He truly was a peacemaker whose memory lives on. With the deepest gratitude, respect and love, thanks to my friend, mentor and colleague for everything.
Sincerely,
J. Michael Chennault
His life to this day, reflects a human being who was guided by a vision deep within his heart to help others. Ron had an uncanny ability to know just what to say and do when the most challenging of conflicts presented themselves to the UC Irvine community. Despite the extremely challenging health issues that Ron lived with, he was able to serve with amazing and steadfast endurance.
The Office of the Ombudsman was established on the campus of UC Irvine in 1978. Ron built the Office on the best traditions of the om-buds-mon whose roots embrace the time honored principles of fairness, equity, justice and the wisdom to see the value in compromise and forgiveness. When in his presence, you could feel his compassion and be enlightened by his skill to help you to see things in a different way, a way to move forward. A way that helped the community recover its balance when in the throes of conflict.
Ron was not ever afraid to ask the questions that needed to be asked. He was a consistent and penetrating voice of humanity, reason and conscience. Ron had a keen intellect and brilliant sense of humor. He knew how to put you at ease and get to heart of what mattered most.
Beyond the borders of the UC Irvine community, Ron extended himself to make significant and memorable contributions to the ombudsman profession at large. He was a vibrant force and presence in contributing to the posterity of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds (CCCUO) which was founded in 1973.
Being the visionary that he was, Ron was founder and editor of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds Journal. Ron was the sole editor of the journal for the first eleven years of its inception in 1987. The Journal was created to be a mechanism for the CCCUO membership to submit relevant scholarly papers of critical and reflective thinking to be shared with other practicing ombuds nationally and internationally.
Ron was also a recipient of the “Pete Small Award”, the highest honor bestowed by the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. The “Pete Small Award” recognized
those who had an unwavering commitment to the preservation of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds unique identity and posterity while making noteworthy contributions to the ombudsman profession in a scholarly and meaningful way.
Ron walked the path that calls those who would take on the burden that humanity needs most when they lose their way through conflict. Ron, the gentile giant with a courageous and magnanimous heart, answered the call. He truly was a peacemaker whose memory lives on. With the deepest gratitude, respect and love, thanks to my friend, mentor and colleague for everything.
Sincerely,
J. Michael Chennault
