The University of Wisconsin-Superior held a dedication ceremony this week for former art Professor William “Pope” Wright.
The university honored Wright by naming its Multicultural Center after the artist and educator who taught at UWS for 44 years.
Sandra Wright was married to Pope Wright for 47 years. She’s pleased to see the university recognize her husband and his years of service.
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“Pope was a first for just about everything,” she said. “I feel that he gave his all. He died with his boots on. He never retired. He loved this place, and I believe they loved him. So it is, I think, a fitting tribute but also well-appreciated.”
Wright was the university’s first African-American professor when he began teaching at UWS in 1971. He was also the first Black Student Union and Indian student advisor on campus. Chip Beal, former UWS Multicultural Affairs director, said Wright supported the center from its inception in 2000.
“He helped, he searched for better opportunities for students of color and he was right there all the way,” he said. “So to name this center after Pope is a perfect, perfect opportunity for the university.”
Carl Crawford, Duluth human rights officer, remembers the wisdom that Wright instilled in him when he was a student at UWS.
“For me he was an advisor, a neighbor, a beacon of safety. There was comfort for a young black man so far away from home. No matter what, I knew when I saw the Wrights it was going to be alright,” he said. “Now, Pope Wright’s fingerprints have been replaced by this recognition never to be forgotten. That gives me great comfort.”
Sandra Wright hopes people will remember the kind of person her husband was with everyone he met.
“He was a wonderful person. He had time for anyone and everyone. I don’t believe he ever said a cross word about anyone,” she said. “He was a quiet giant because, although he was very quiet, he was very powerful.”
Pope Wright passed away in 2015. The university dedicated the multicultural center to Wright this past Wednesday.
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