Here is a glimpse of what 'Mr Wilson' has accomplished in his life time since he left Skyline. I was at a Skyline Football game where they inducted him into the 'Skyline Hall of Fame' that evening. I have run into him several times in the past forty years and he always cordially greets me and talks about the 'Skyline Years'. He is a class act!

Ted Wilson (taught history and economics at Skyline) was born May 18, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended schools in Salt Lake City, graduating from South High School in 1957 and from the University of Utah in 1964, with a B.S. degree in Political Science. He received a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Washington in 1969. In 1983, he received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Westminster College of Salt Lake City.

From 1957 to 1963, he served in the Utah Army National Guard and was activated to full time status during the Berlin Crisis. He was an instructor at the Leysin American School, Leysin, Switzerland for one year. He also taught economics at Skyline High School, Salt Lake City, Utah for seven years. During the summer months of 1966 to 1969 he was a mountaineering park ranger in Grand Teton National Park.

He was appointed Chief of Staff to U.S. Congressman Wayne Owens (D-UT) in March 1973. In April 1975 he was appointed to direct the Department of Social Services in Salt Lake County. In November 1975 he was elected as Mayor of Salt Lake City. He served as Mayor until July 1, 1985, when he became the Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. Retiring from the Hinckley Institute in September 2003, Wilson retains status as Professor Emeritus of political science and continues to teach classes at the university. Wilson is a founder of the Exoro Co.

He ran against Orrin Hatch for the Senate in 1982. In 1988, he was the Democratic candidate for Governor of the State of Utah. In 1991, Wilson was selected by the Harvard University John F. Kennedy Institute of Politics as an institute fellow during the Autumn Semester.

Personal travel to India has allowed Wilson to study and understand the Indian system of government. Wilson has made ten trips to India leading university student expeditions. During those visits, he has met with the Dalai Lama, and led efforts to build housing for Tibetan Refugees in Bir, a community hall in Leh, Ladhk and a school in Kotwara.

Wilson loves the sport of mountaineering and has made many first ascents on mountain climbing routes in Utah, in the Tetons, and in other ranges including the Alps, Alaska, Andes, and the Himalaya. Wilson has established three climbing schools still in operation, was a climbing ranger in Grand Teton National Park, and is currently a part owner of Exum Utah mountain Guides. He received the Department of the Interior Valor award for a mountain rescue on the North Face of the Grand Teton in 1967.

Ted Wilson serves on many voluntary local boards including the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Clark Planetarium Advisory Board and the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Science Advisory Board. He is an Ambassador for the 96th Army Reserve and provides a liaison between the troops and the community.

He enjoys bicycling, skiing, rock climbing, and backpacking with his family.

Awards and honors

• National Science Foundation Fellow, University of Washington, 1968–69
• Department of Interior, Valor Award, 1968, for Grand Teton north face rescue
• Utah Bolivian Partners, Fern Wiser Award for Distinguished Service to Bolivian Education, 1976
• Utah National Guard, Bronze Minuteman Award, 1979
• Chairman, Utah Presidential Inaugural Hosting Committee for President Carter, 1977
• Utah League of Cities and Towns Award - Outstanding Utah Elected Municipal Official, 1983
• Honorary Doctorate of Laws, Westminster College of Salt Lake City June, 1984
• Fellow, John F. Kennedy Institute of Politics, Harvard University, 1991
• Pi Sigma Alpha “Professor of the Year,” 1994; University of Utah Political Science Department
• Mortar Board National Honor Society “Top Professor Award,” 1996
• Professor Emeritus, University of Utah

Mr. Wilson was also the ski club advisor. We were lucky to have him at Skyline.