Skip to main content
Denison University Home
  • About Denison +
  • Academics +
  • Admission & Aid +
  • Campus Life +
  • News & Events +
  • Arts
  • Athletics & Recreation
  • Alumni
  • Parents
  • Title IX / Non-Discrimination
Prefer browsing? Check out the A-Z directory

Popular

  • Commencement
  • Shop Denison / Bookstore
  • Denison Forward
  • COVID-19 Coronavirus
  • Academic Calendar
  • Majors
  • Career Exploration
  • Eisner Center
  • Employment
  • MyDenison

Your Most Viewed

    Prefer browsing? Check out the A-Z Directory

    Popular

    • Commencement
    • Shop Denison / Bookstore
    • Denison Forward
    • COVID-19 Coronavirus
    • Academic Calendar
    • Majors
    • Career Exploration
    • Eisner Center
    • Employment
    • MyDenison

    Your Most Viewed

      No Results

      About Denison

      • Fast Facts
      • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Antiracism
      • Our Administration
      • Our History
      • Ranking & Reviews
      • Sustainability

      Academics

      Denison’s purpose is to inspire and educate its students to become autonomous thinkers, discerning moral agents and active citizens of a democratic society.

      • Majors
      • Courses
      • Academic Calendar
      • Library
      • Study Abroad

      Admission & Aid

      We are thrilled that you are considering Denison during your college search, and we look forward to getting to know more about you.

      • Apply for Admission
      • Apply for Financial Aid
      • Visit Campus
      • Virtual Tour
      • Request Information
      • Meet the Staff

      Campus Life

      Our students bring diverse talents, interests, backgrounds, and experiences to campus; see how Denison helps them make this college their own.

      • Clubs & Organizations
      • Housing
      • Career Center
      • Exploring Granville & Columbus

      News & Events

      Denison's latest news, stories, and upcoming events from all around the hill and beyond.

      • Events & Athletics Schedule
      • Academic Calendar
      • Press Releases
      • Big Red Athletics
      • Denison Magazine

      Latest Featured News

      Susan Booth

      Susan Booth ‘85 to lead Chicago’s Goodman Theatre

      via New York Times
      July 28, 2022
      Mathematics students in a robotics lab

      Denison introduces new major in applied mathematics

      July 26, 2022
      Liv Gjestvang

      Denison’s new CIO hopes to build structure around innovation

      via Ed Scoop
      July 22, 2022
      Denison University Home
      Map / Tour
      Events
      Give
      Apply
      • Search
      • Menu

      Press Releases

      Hugh Wilder '68 inducted into swimming Hall of Fame

      Hugh Wilder '68 inducted into swimming Hall of Fame

      October 9, 2017
      Hugh Wilder '68

      Hugh Wilder '68 found three passions during his time at Denison: his wife Pana Mabrey '68 (whom he met in Shakespeare class at Denison in 1966), philosophy, and swimming.

      Wilder married Mabrey, became a professor of philosophy at Miami University and the College of Charleston, (retiring in 2010), and he kept on swimming, setting a national backstroke record for men over 50, at 60, and again at 65. In recognition of his untiring excellence in swimming, he was inducted into the International Swimming Masters Hall of Fame in 2017.

      A backstroker through high school, college and masters swimming, Wilder has set 25 Masters world records over the last 26 years, in six age groups (45-49 through 70-74). He currently holds six world records. At World Masters Championship meets since 1992, Wilder has won four gold medals, one silver and three bronze.

      Wilder swam all four years under Coach Ted Barclay. He was a four-year NCAA All-American, Denison varsity record holder and Ohio Conference champion. He was inducted into the Denison University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979 and into the Denison Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame in 2011. He was awarded the Denison University Alumni Citation in 1999.

      Wilder's best college time in the 100 yard back was 56.8; his best masters time is 57.28, a U.S. national record set in 1998 when he was 50. Hugh was the first person over 60 to swim the 100 yard backstroke in under 60 seconds, setting the national record of 59.29 in 2008. In 2013, he became the first and so far the only person over 65 to swim the 100 yard back in under 60 seconds (59.62). Hugh’s best college time in the 100 meter back (long course) was 1:04.6; his best masters time is 1:06.00, a world record set in 1992 when he was 45.

      Hugh graduated from Denison with a major in Philosophy. He went on to earn MA and PhD degrees in philosophy at the University of Western Ontario.

      100 West College Street
      Granville, Ohio 43023
      1-740-587-0810

      Footer menu

      • Make a Payment
      • MyDenison
      • Title IX / Non-Discrimination
      • Library
      • Shop Denison
      • Make a Gift

      Stay up to date with the latest campus news and upcoming events.

      Download our App »

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Instagram
      • Youtube

      Our Home:
      Granville, OH »

      • Employment
      • Consumer Information
      • Forms & Policies
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Notice
      • Social Media Community Guidelines
      • Report a Bug

      Denison University's programs, offerings, events and arrangements are subject to change in the event of exigent circumstances, including the ongoing COVID-19 situation.