Gresham to be honored at New York nonprofit’s Heroes Reception

Mary Gresham, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development, is being recognized Nov. 7 for her service and leadership by a Buffalo, New York-based agency that helps families, schools and communities raise successful children.

Gresham is this year’s recipient of the Robert L. Wilson Award for Exceptional Service and Leadership, which will be presented by Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) at the group’s annual Heroes Reception. The organization will also honor two other people and two organizations at the reception. 

The award Gresham will receive is named for EPIC’s founder, Robert Wilson, who established the nonprofit in 1980, three years after his wife was murdered by a 15-year-old neighbor and family friend. Investigators found the boy had experienced neglect, abuse and placement in nearly a dozen different foster homes. According to the EPIC website: “While it was too late to change what had happened to his wife, Wilson felt that it was not too late for others.” Today EPIC offers trainings and workshops aimed at involving entire communities in helping children succeed and grow into responsible adults. Its programs include parenting education, family engagement, youth services and professional development for agencies and individuals who work with children and families. 

Prior to becoming interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development, Gresham was a longtime administrator at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. 

More information about EPIC and its Heroes Reception is available online