Oakton mourns loss of former trustee Emory Williams

(May 2, 2016) Emory Williams, former chair of the Oakton Community College Board of Trustees, passed away on Monday, April 25. Williams, a resident of Evanston, served on the board from 2003 to 2009 and also served as vice chair and secretary. From 2011 to 2015, he sponsored the Kenny Jackson Williams Memorial Scholarship to support a full- or part-time minority student attending Oakton.

“Emory understood in his bones what it meant to be a trustee and to hold the college in trust for the community it serves,” said Oakton President Emerita Margaret B. Lee, Ph.D., who retired June 30, 2015. “He believed in the power of education to transform lives and was a passionate advocate for access and opportunity for all. Also, Emory inspired so many students, faculty, staff and administrators at the college. His words, work and life were a beacon of leadership and a promise of possibility for so many. Emory championed Oakton’s commitment to diversity and we are all beneficiaries of his vision for the college.”

President Joianne L. Smith echoed Lee’s sentiments: “Emory was a strong advocate for community colleges. He was deeply connected to the Evanston community and was instrumental in moving the college forward in our efforts to be a welcoming and diverse community, particularly for students and employees of color.”

Williams was passionate about education, having served in various capacities at Evanston Township High School from 1967 to 1994, and considered Oakton as a valuable resource for local residents.

“I think there are many youngsters in our district who could or should look into Oakton for their training and education,” Williams said in a 2003 article in the college newspaper. “They can get one or two years of college-transfer-type programs for little or no money. There are also many people who could take advantage of training programs and within one or two years could end up with a decent paying job.”