Sister M. Claude Lane Award: Wesley W. Wilson

Wesley W. Wilson, CA, coordinator of archives and special collections at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, is the 2017 recipient of the Sister M. Claude Lane, O.P., Memorial Award given by the Society of American Archivists (SAA) in conjunction with the Society of Southwest Archivists. The award, created in 1974, honors an archivist who has made a significant contribution to the field of religious archives.

Since he first became the coordinator for DePauw’s archives in 1984, Wilson has worked diligently to preserve and share the records of the United Methodist church in Indiana. He has held leadership roles in the SAA Archivists of Religious Collections Section, Midwest Archives Conference, and Society of Indiana Archivists, and is a founding member of the Indiana United Methodist Historical Society. Wilson’s leadership extends to the archival community through his various publications, classes, and presentations on topics related to archival work in religious archives. Wilson’s spirit of sharing and dedication to the preservation of church records are evident in his legacy of progress seen in DePauw’s archives. 

One supporter wrote, “DePauw’s archives are top rate in terms of their content, organization, staffing, and management. Wilson has developed a priceless resource for the DePauw community.” Another supporter noted, “Wilson is an exemplary professional whose accomplishments with the Archives at DePauw University in the national field of archival service have won him wide respect and admiration.”