Swanton High School Distinguished Alumni Class of 2024
On Friday, a luncheon was held in the Media Center of Swanton High School to honor the newest inductees to the Swanton High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. The Class of 2024 included Gene Wilson (1993) and Dr. Rebecca Nelson (1994). Superintendent Chris Lake read each of their biographies to the attendees.
Gene Wilson: The path that Gene Wilson followed to be named a Distinguished Swanton Alumni is quite different and unique compared to the pathways many other Distinguished Alumni have followed. It is a path that has led him to become a successful self-made businessman who is committed to his customers and to public service.
Gene attended Township and Park Elementary Schools, as well as Swanton Junior and Senior High Schools. Upon graduation, he did an apprenticeship program with Northwest Ohio Carpenters Apprenticeship Program. During his apprenticeship he worked for Staford E Thai, earning his journeyman’s card.
Once he received his journeyman’s card, he started a small subcontracting remodeling company known as GA Wilson Builders. This company is still technically in business today but they are known as RoofOhio, Inc. The business primarily focus is on exterior building systems of the home. Over the years, Owens Corning has recognized Gene as a Platinum Preferred Contractor. Having a partnership with Owens Corning has given Gene the opportunity to help a lot of people by providing them with new roofs for their home. It has allowed Gene to grow his business and provides him the opportunity to pursue his second passion which is public service and giving back to his community.
Gene and his company are very involved with several charitable organizations including Purple Heart Homes and Fulton County Habitat for Humanity. They donate their time to help put roofs on homes for families that need just a little bit of extra help. Gene feels very fortunate to be surrounded by a community that likes to give and help those less fortunate. He credits local people including countless teachers, Village administrators, Jeep, hospital workers and other small businesses who have supported him since day one. He believes there is nothing he could ever do to repay the community for how much they have supported him. So, he considers the things he does to help others very miniscule in comparison to what the Swanton community has done for him and his family.
Gene’s advice to the younger generation pertaining to career and their career choices is this. He would advise them to find something they enjoy doing first and foremost, then throw yourself into it. He is proof that not everyone has to go to college to be successful. Also, realize that life throws changes at you constantly and things happen out of your control so don’t be afraid to fail. He says he has failed several times and that is where he learned some of the biggest and best lessons and has gained some of his strongest attributes.
Dr. Rebecca Nelson: Dr. Rebecca Nelson is a proud 1994 graduate of Swanton High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Toledo, later advancing her education with a Master’s in Education and ultimately her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in 2018.
Dr. Nelson’s academic achievements are exemplified by her acceptance to present her dissertation at the prestigious American Educational Research Association—a rare honor with an acceptance rate of less than 10%. This milestone marked the beginning of a distinguished career in education research and public speaking with presentations at numerous conferences across the country.
In her professional journey, Rebecca has become a leader in educational research and curriculum development. She has made significant contributions by designing and updating teacher education curricula to meet ever-evolving demands of classroom teaching. Her research continues to gain recognition with numerous manuscripts published in respected professional journals.
Rebecca has also assumed leadership roles in various Teacher Education departments and committees. She is the Assistant Department Chair for Teach Education Department, the interim Studies Abroad Director and the Director of the Transitional Certification Program.
Her global impact is evident in her selectin to lead the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Studt Abroad Program in the Czech Republic, where she guided students through a 14-week immersive experience. Sha also led a group in Italy for three weeks and taught a course in Palacky University in Czech Republic on American English pronunciations.
Dr. Nelson’s dedication to education, leadership and research exemplifies the values of Swanton High School alumni, and her accomplishments continue to inspire those around her.
Photo: Dr. Rebecca Nelson and Gene Wilson
Fulton County Ohio Media 