Dean Williams serves up encouragement and advice with a healthy dose of humor

by Jennifer Greenstein Altmann
On a chilly day last February, every member of the senior class checking their e-mail found a note from Associate Dean of the College Richard Williams. Its subject line was typically upbeat and irreverent. "An exhortation to greatness!" it read.

All year long seniors get e-mails from Williams, who, as the adviser to the members of the class, constantly invents new ways to provide boundless encouragement to students as they near the finish line of their undergraduate careers.

His "exhortation to greatness" e-mail began by rattling off a list of concerns that were likely to be on seniors' minds, from finishing their thesis to finding a job after graduation. "All of that having been said," it concluded, "You ARE going to get it all done. And you WILL be standing there proudly on June 1. I'll see you there!!!!"

"We seniors are constantly entertained by Dean Williams' humorous e-mails that keep us on track for graduation day," said Dana Hollenbeck.

Williams, a towering figure who exudes warmth and fun, has been advising the members of the senior class for the last 30 years. He provides equal doses of academic advice and moral support, and students are eternally grateful for both.

"Dean Williams is extremely approachable, uplifting and understanding," said senior Louise Lamphere. "First and foremost, his e-mails are filled with not only good advice but good laughs. Come crunch time for the thesis due date, I know that I always have someone that I can run to for a laugh or to ask for a much-needed extension. His understanding knows no bounds, for even the almighty and responsible senior can lose her way."

Read the full story in the Weekly Bulletin.