Grand High Delta
Dr. J. Edward Wilkinson
Gamma-Chi Zeta, University of Arkansas
Ed Wilkinson is President and Director of Farmers Bank, his family-owned commercial bank established in Greenwood, AR in 1907, and is Wilkinson Banking Corporation CEO. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration. He subsequently earned a Doctor of Business Administration and Master of Laws. During Desert Shield/Storm, Wilkinson was commissioned into the U.S. Navy Reserve. He served at sea aboard USS Holland and ashore with Seabee and Cargo Handling Battalions, qualifying in Surface Warfare and Seabee Combat Warfare. He served in-theatre during the Global War on Terrorism. Wilkinson served 16 years in the Arkansas legislature, notably as Chair of the House Banking Committee and later Chair of Senate Judiciary Committee. Wilkinson responded to the call of the still small voice and became a Commissioned Ruling Elder at Good Shepherd Presbyterian (PCUSA) Church. His late father, Means Wilkinson, was a brother of Theta Kappa Nu. Recently, the Chapter Room of Gamma-Chi Zeta was dedicated in his memory. The active brethren of Gamma-Chi Zeta named Wilkinson Alumnus of the Year 2019.