Plato S. Wilson Elected as Trustee at High Point University

Furniture World Magazine

High Point University businessman Plato S. Wilson has been elected to the High Point University Board of Trustees. "We are honored to have Mr. Wilson on our team," said President Nido Qubein. "He is deeply committed to High Point University and shares in our vision. He will be an integral part of this incredible journey." Last month, less than one week after Qubein announced his ambitious campus transformation plan, Wilson and his daughter Susan propelled the university to new standards of excellence with what Qubein called "a very, very major gift." Honoring the donors' request, the university will not reveal the amount of the gift. "Mr. Wilson has generously shown his support for High Point," said Marsha Slane, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees. "We look forward to benefiting from his expertise in the business world as we move forward as a campus and community." High Point furniture leader Plato Wilson is a legend in the field of sales. He was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in October 2004, and has received the "Others Award" from the Salvation Army. His book, "A Dream to Sell" is widely distributed and regarded as an autobiographical and historical work which is laden with stories about furniture-related events and people in North Carolina. Wilson was born in Morganton, NC, graduated from Duke University, served 3 years in the army and enjoyed a 45-year career as a manufacturer's agent for Henredon and Henkel-Harris. He retired in 1990 to focus on charitable work with the Salvation Army, Lees-McRae College and Duke University. He has served every chairmanship in work areas at First United Methodist Church in High Point and has headed four major financial campaigns. He has traveled to 96 countries around the world. His hobbies include horseback riding, tennis, classical music and reading. He has taught adult Sunday School classes at his church -- First United Methodist -- for more than 40 years. He lives in High Point with his wife Dixie, and has one daughter, Susan Wilson, who lives in Asheville and is an important contributor to the family gift. High Point University is a liberal arts institution with approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 52 countries and 36 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report 12th among comprehensive universities in the South and in the top 100 nationally. The university offers 45 undergraduate majors and five graduate-degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference.