William T. Williams, Jr. '69
(Year Awarded--1998)

A pediatrician, an internist, an educator, a researcher and administrator, Bill Williams' professional career and personal commitments have been driven by service. Bill's dedication to others was evident early in his life, even on his application for admission to Davidson College. Citing his satisfaction in his work with the Key Club, Bill wrote, "...it was here that I learned…that you get out of something only what you put in and that serving and working for others provides much more pleasure than purely social functions could ever bring." Bill continued on that path while he was a student at Davidson.

Tutoring high school and college students, serving as hall counselor to freshmen and attending to his adopted family of youngsters at Barium Springs Children's Home, Bill's devotion to others was recognized when he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award as a senior at Davidson. Bill's volunteer efforts have spanned all age groups from concern about the infant mortality rate in Mecklenburg County, through health services for at-risk teenagers, to finding affordable programs of care for the elderly.

Throughout his medical career, Bill has earned a reputation for being an excellent diagnostician, recognizing quickly where there is pain and need, not only in his patients but in the broader context of our complex society. With a quick wit and brilliant sense of timing, Bill uses humor to teach and to clarify. He is frequently called upon to lecture on medical ethics and health care reform. Though he spends more of his time now in research and education, his patients and friends know that they can call on "Dr. Bill" when they need him.

As an alumnus, Bill has served Davidson College through his work as Medical Director of Student Health, his role on the Health Facility Planning Committee, as Adjunct Professor of Medical Humanities and through his efforts to raise money for the new Life Sciences facility.

Because you are a healer, an educator and a wonderful friend; because you have a unique talent for sorting through the complex to see quickly to the heart; and because the whole work of your life demonstrates leadership through servanthood, the Alumni Association of Davidson College proudly presents you, William Thomas Williams, Jr., with the John W. Kuykendall Award for Community Service on the occasion of your 30th Reunion.