Remembering a Renowned CIU Alumnus

Remembering a Renowned CIU Alumnus

Will Norton and his wife Colene in 1939.

Will Norton and his wife Colene in 1939, the year they were married and the year they graduated from CIU.

Christianity Today magazine described H. Wilbert Norton as the man whose leadership “brought a missions focus to Christian higher education.” The CIU alumnus passed away on Feb. 20. He was 102 years old.

Norton was a 1939 graduate of CIU. In 2012, he returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree for his ministry in the Belgian Congo and Nigeria where he founded a seminary and Bible institute. Norton was also instrumental in the founding of the triennial Urbana Missionary Conference that challenges thousands of young people to enter missionary service. 

Read more about the life of Dr. Norton in Christianity Today, the suburban edition of The Chicago Tribune and the website of Wheaton College.