CEAT Alumni Highlight - Walter Wilson
Monday, February 17, 2025
Mr. & Mrs. Wilson in attendance of the 100th anniversary of OSU School of Architecture , which took place at the Donald W. Reynolds School of Architecture building.
Walter L. Wilson, FAIA, has advanced the field of architecture through leadership and public service. A proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University’s School of Architecture, Wilson’s journey from student leader to esteemed architect exemplifies the transformative power of education and dedication.
After graduating high school, Wilson enlisted in the United States Air Force where he became the youngest member of the air base’s traveling basketball team at 18 years old. From there he landed a basketball scholarship to Central State College and two years later transferred to OSU’s SOA. Wilson earned a Bachelor of Architecture in Architectural Design and a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering in 1971. As an active student, he held leadership roles as vice chair of the Architecture Student Faculty Council and vice president of the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. His commitment to academic excellence and service was recognized with the prestigious Alpha Rho Chi Medal.
For over two decades, Wilson was the Principal Architect for Milwaukee County, overseeing a team of architects, engineers and technical professionals responsible for the design and maintenance of over 800 public facilities. His work has shaped judicial, cultural, mental health, correctional, recreational and transportation infrastructure, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
Before his tenure at Milwaukee County, Wilson founded The Wilson Firm, Ltd., Architects and Engineers, serving as CEO for 16 years. In retirement, he continues to contribute to the profession through DESIGN 4U, an architectural consulting firm focused on owner representation and programming.
He was the second African American graduate of OSU’s SOA and the first to receive the Alpha Rho Chi Medal. He has dedicated his career to mentoring aspiring architects, particularly underrepresented student groups, helping pave the way for future generations.
His influence extends beyond the workplace through his involvement with professional organizations. As a leader in AIA, Wilson served as President of AIA Southeast Wisconsin and as a Director-At-Large on the AIA Wisconsin Board of Directors. In 2019, he played a key role in establishing the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects and became the first president of WiscoNOMA.
Wilson’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including his elevation to the AIA College of Fellows in 2011—one of the highest honors in the profession. That same year, AIA recognized him as a Citizen Architect for his longstanding public service. In 2020, he received the AIA Wisconsin Golden Award, the highest honor bestowed by the state chapter, and in 2024, he became the inaugural recipient of the Wisconsin NOMA President’s Award.
His commitment to community engagement is evident in his service on the City of Glendale Architectural Review Board, his 12-year tenure on the Wisconsin State Capitol and Executive Residence Board and his leadership within the Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects. Additionally, he served on the National Council of Registration Boards for nine years, serving as Chairperson of the Midwest region (Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio) for three years.
“I view my approach to architecture as a maturing response to problem-solving, which is more than a juxtaposition of spaces, more than artistic expressions, more than the orderly assemblage of bricks and mortar, steel, and wood,” Wilson said. “Instead, it is a purposeful amalgamation of all those things.”
Walter’s legacy is one of excellence and service. His career is a testament to the impact that a CEAT education can have on shaping the future of architecture and improving our communities. Walter Wilson’s story is an inspiration to current and future students.