Location: Ablah Library, Lower Level

Please join Wichita State University Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives, and the School of Criminal Justice in celebrating the generous donation of the "Orlando Winfield 'O.W.' Wilson Collection." Professor Michael Birzer, School of Criminal Justice at Wichita State University, will provide remarks on the importance of O.W. Wilson in terms of Wichita, Wichita State, and American police history.

The O.W. Wilson collection is an important addition for researchers interested in the historical development of modern policing as we know it today, especially the Wichita Police Department, which was dubbed the “West Point of Law Enforcement” under Wilson’s tenure as Chief of Police (1928-1939). Wilson, along with Dr. Hugo Wall, is also credited with starting the criminal justice program at Wichita State University.

Following Dr. Birzer’s remarks there will be a formal presentation of the collection to Special Collections and University Archives by O.W. Wilson’s grandson, Matthew Wilson. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.