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A former student remembers WMU Professor Ben Wilson

an older African American man sitting next to a younger African American man in an auditorium
Courtesy photo
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Jamon Jordan
Former Western Michigan University Professor Dr. Ben Wilson (left) and former student Jamon Jordan (right).

Jamon Jordan, city historian of Detroit, reflects on the life of his mentor.

Before there was a Black Americana Studies major at Western Michigan University, Ben Wilson was already teaching a number of classes that would become part it. (The program is now known as African-American and African Studies.)

For WMU alumnus Jamon Jordan, Wilson was more than a voice at the front of a classroom. His teacher, supervisor, and advisor would ultimately become a lifelong friend.

Wilson died last month. Friends, family and colleague will remember his life at a memorial service on Saturday, at the Galilee Baptist Church in Kalamazoo from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Jordan describes Wilson's mentorship in an interview with WMUK's Brian O'Keefe.

Brian comes to WMUK after spending nearly 30 years as News Director of a public radio station in the Chicago area. Brian grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and attended Western Kentucky University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting. He started working in public radio while at WKU; and has worked in radio news for more than 35 years. Brian lives on a quiet lake in Barry County with his wife and three dogs. Thanks to his Kentucky roots, he’s an avid collector of bourbon and other varieties of whiskey. Above all else, Brian considers himself a story teller and looks forward to sharing southwest Michigan stories with WMUK’s listeners.