Louis Round Wilson (1876-1979)

One of Edward Kidder Graham's first projects was the creation of an extension division. He chose librarian Louis Round Wilson to develop correspondence courses for students who could not come to Chapel Hill. The first offerings were in English, history, engineering, and geology. The extension office lent library books, published bulletins, and answered individual letters from state residents. Graham also organized the High School Debating Union that worked with the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies. By its third year, this debating group had programs in 250 schools, discussing such topics as woman suffrage and political reform. Graham also hired Frederick Koch to teach playwriting and to establish a bureau of community drama, which sent agents to school and community groups to help them stage plays.