Harrison Benjamin Wilson has progressed through life with a great faith and determination that has led him to achieve noteworthy goals. After graduating from Indiana University with a master's degree in Health and Physical Education, and a doctorate in Health and Safety, he moved into the field of higher education at southern colleges; teaching, coaching, and developing improved instructional programs, Dr. Wilson was soon promoted into supervisory assignments of high responsibility.

Always committed to the philosophy that the goal of contemporary education is freedom, and removing individuals from the constraints of ignorance and prejudice, Dr. Wilson introduced motivational techniques to entice students to pursue rigorous courses of study, and encouraged networking between his colleges and business, industry, and government organizations.

Dr. Wilson became president of Norfolk State University, and was the prime supporter of the Virginia Plan, a model for addressing the problems of duplication of education within a community, and he led the university's evolution from a low enrollment, non-focused, under-funded institution to the fourth largest black public institution in the nation.