During a series of complimentary speeches and toasts, the Trustees named Wilson "president emerita" of Radcliffe, an honor bestowed only twice before in Radcliffe's 120-year history. In addition, Nancy-Beth Gordon Sheerr, chairman of the Radcliffe Board of Trustees, announced that trustees and other friends have contributed funds to establish the "Linda S. Wilson Directorship" at the Radcliffe Public Policy Institute. The Public Policy Institute was established by Wilson in 1993.

"Linda Wilson's tenure at Radcliffe has been a tour de force," said Sheerr. "She has provided inspiring leadership during one of the most productive and exciting times in Radcliffe's history. All of us in the Radcliffe family owe Linda a sincere debt of gratitude for her dedication, passion, and vision." In addition to members of the Radcliffe Board of Trustees, other attendees included Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences Jeremy R. Knowles, Wellesley College President Diana Chapman Walsh, former president of the Carnegie Corporation David Hamburg, culinary legend Julia Child, and director of the Schlesinger Library Mary Maples Dunn, who will take over for Wilson on July 1.

"As president, Linda Wilson has led Radcliffe from its noble past to a clearer and more exciting future," said Knowles. "I am so glad to have had the opportunity to work with Linda, and to know that we shall all share in the successes of the Radcliffe Institute in the years to come, the foundations for which she has so thoughtfully laid."

Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine was unable to attend, but sent along his best wishes in writing. "As president of Radcliffe, Linda has achieved her goals of increasing Radcliffe's role in public policy, extending and enhancing research by and about women, and enriching the lives of undergraduates," said Rudenstine. "Linda, I join with the rest of the Harvard community in saluting your decade of rare dedication and accomplishment."

Wilson joined Radcliffe in 1989, after serving as vice president for research at the University of Michigan. Prior to that, she was the associate vice chancellor for research at the University of Illinois. A graduate of Sophie Newcomb College at Tulane University, Wilson earned a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry at the University of Wisconsin.