The Swinging Bridge

Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: News

Students and faculty gathered in the sanctuary of the Grantham BIC Church to share stories, tears, and musings over the remarkable life of departed student Adrian Wilson. His college will remember Wilson as a spectacular student, a visionary community leader, and overall, as a faithful friend. Wilson's aunt, Althia Pieters, addressing the college community said "although we sent Adrian here while he was sixteen, he came to family."

Wilson died while swimming off the coast of Spain on July 4. He and several other Messiah College students were promoting sustainable agriculture at a farm in rural Spain under a mission grant.

The main funeral services, held in Queens, New York, focused on his childhood in the Bahamas. The memorial at the Grantham Church was organized by several of Adrian's close friends to remember his physical and spiritual contributions to the college.

Wilson came to Messiah College at the age of 16. He majored in biopsychology with aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon. His first-year RD Spencer Carter of Naugle Residence remembers Wilson as a great listener and model of patience and understanding. "Adrian would've listened to and learned from anyone's story" said Carter, who also noted how Wilson cared about leaving a meaningful legacy on campus and giving back to his community as much as he could.

Wilson was well known on campus for promoting sustainable agriculture through the Grantham Community Garden. He stayed on campus the summer of 2007 to care for the garden during its first year. Wilson's friend and fellow gardener Dan Webster said "we will encounter [Adrian] daily in the Grantham Community Garden."

Dr. David Foster, who worked closely with Wilson on the garden, remembered his easygoing sincerity. "Adrian was a master of living for now" said Foster. He advises students to learn from Wilson's example, and value the things they do in, not for, the moment.

Student Devin Thomas is coordinating the compilation of a memorial scrapbook. Although he did not know Wilson as well as some others, he said that he is very eager to have a part in bringing together others' memories.

Wilson's father, Silvius, said in a written reflection that his son's life was "characterized by numerous acts of generosity and a commitment to service with the goal of improving the quality of life of all, but especially the vulnerable among us."

Wilson's campus will remember him as an inspiring leader, a provocative scholar, and an understanding friend. Spencer Carter advises students to follow Wilson's example and "give back as much as you get."
In his reflection, Silvius Wilson shared the following quote from Khalil Gibran:

"You would know the secret of death,
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blinded unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life, for life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools