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To honor, recognize, and celebrate the life of Dr. William Edward Nelson, Jr., and to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends on the occasion of his passing Thursday, May 16, 2013.
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WHEREAS, Dr. William Edward Nelson, Jr., affectionately known as "Nick" was born March 19, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late William E. Nelson Sr. and Mildred Swearengen Nelson Hayes; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson, Professor Emeritus, was a nationally recognized pioneer of Black Studies and Political Science at The Ohio State University where he was instrumental in creating one of the first and most comprehensive programs in African American studies in the country and served as chair of the program from 1972 -1986; and is also credited with creating the Department of African American and African Studies Community Extension Center which has helped to make Ohio State's Department of Political Science one of the leading producers of African American PhD's in that discipline; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson served as president of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, president of the African Heritage Studies Association, and chair of the National Council for Black Studies and vice president of the American Political Science Association; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson’s love of education was deep as he has nurtured, advised, lectured and mentored students at colleges and universities on five continents; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson became a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Delta Chapter in 1959 at the Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical & Normal College; now the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff - UAPB and during his years with the fraternity served as the state, regional and national chair of the Publications Committee; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nelson went home to the Lord on Thursday, May 16, 2013, and leaves to cherish his memory, the love of his life and sweetheart for over 48 years, Della; son, Nick (Tiffany); grandson, Quinn; mother Mi...
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