UMO Honors Jimmy Williams
MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive bestowed an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on James E. (Jimmy) Williams during spring commencement.
Williams, a longtime Mount Olive resident, has been an instrumental force in Wayne County for his entire adult life. A native of Pink Hill, North Carolina, he received his BA degree from Atlantic Christian College and his M.Ed. degree from East Carolina University. During his illustrious career, Williams has served as a teacher, coach, principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of Wayne County Public Schools. He was Headmaster at Wayne Country Day School and led it to its first accreditation.
Williams has served as Vice President at UMO on two separate occasions. From 1984 to 1993, he served as Vice President of College Affairs, and then as Vice President of Institutional Advancement. He returned to the University in 2014, when he came out of retirement to assume responsibilities as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. During his last stint with UMO, Williams successfully led the fundraising initiative for the institution’s track and field/lacrosse complex. He stepped down from the Vice President position in 2016 and became the Special Assistant to the Vice President to focus on special fund raising projects.
In addition to his professional activities, Williams has served with distinction in leadership positions with First United Methodist Church and numerous service organizations in this community and throughout the region. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Medallion from the Boys and Girls Club, the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, Paul Harris Rotary Fellow, and the University of Mount Olive Athletic Hall of Fame.
UMO President Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter said, “The doctoral degree is the highest degree the University of Mount Olive can award, and it is designed to reflect our University’s recognition of the significant accomplishments and service of an individual to his or her chosen field of endeavor, to the institution, and/or to society as a whole. Jimmy Williams is an individual certainly worthy of such recognition, as he has given a lifetime of service to education, to the church, and to the community as a servant-leader. Our region is all the better for his exceptional service, and we are delighted to honor a native son of North Carolina.”
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” Williams said. “I thank Dr. Kerstetter, the Board of Trustees, and the academic community for their support. The University of Mount Olive is very dear to my heart. My family and I will treasure this honor.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, in Smithfield at Johnston Community College, and online. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
Pictured: Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Hines hoods Jimmy Williams, recipient of the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at UMO, as Vice Chair of the UMO Board of Trustees Howard Scott shakes Williams’ hand. Looking on is UMO President Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter.