Dodge-Wilson collection

Matilda Rausch was born to German immigrants in Walkerton, Ontario, Canada. As a youngster she attended public school in Detroit and then attended and graduated from the Gorsline Business College there. In 1902, she began working for the Dodge Motor Company and in 1907 she married founder John Dodge.

John Dodge died in 1920, and Matilda inherited his share of the Dodge Brothers Company, thus becoming one of the wealthiest women in the United States. In 1925 she married lumber baron Alfred G. Wilson. Upon Alfred Wilson's death on April 6, 1962, Matilda again received the bulk of her husband's estate. The Wilsons donated their estate to Michigan State University, along with 2 million dollars, to create a new college on its land. The new Michigan State University Oakland opened in 1959. Until her death in 1967 Matilda Dodge Wilson was deeply involved in the development of the new campus, and with its students, faculty and administrators.