Six years ago, the Laurence J. Carr award was established to recognize volunteers to Alaska Pacific University who have made a substantial commitment of time and resources to the university. Past recipients include the award's namesake Larry Carr, Dave Rose, Sue Linford, John Ayers, and Meg Yaege.

This year, we are honored to present the Laurence J. Carr volunteer of the year award to Alaska Pacific University Trustee, Mr. Don Wilson.

Without a doubt, Don truly personifies this award and the dedication and selflessness it recognizes. Don joined the Alaska Pacific University Board of Trustees in 1993, and the board of the APU Foundation in 1994. Over the past decade, he has been extremely active as a Trustee and friend of the university, serving as Denali Society Chair, (more than once), and on numerous committees of the APU Board of Trustees and the APU Foundation. He has hosted fund raising dinners in his home, organized special events, has asked countless people to join him as a contributor to APU, and has been a tireless advocate of the university.

Most notably, Don also volunteered to take on the role of co-chair of the special gifts committee for the university's recently completed capital campaign which raised over $23 million for both the university endowment and a variety of campus-wide capital projects. The campaign well exceeded its goal of raising $20 million and Don's leadership, active fund raising, and recruitment of volunteers were crucial to that success.

Believe it or not, Don has a life outside of APU too. He began his career with the New York Life Insurance company on September 1, 1964 and has just celebrated his 40th anniversary with the company. Don specializes in estate planning, wealth accumulation, retirement planning and business life insurance. He was the New York Life council president in 1984 and is currently serving on their advisory board of directors. He is married to Melinda Wilson, and enjoys fishing and golfing as time allows.