News from Grand Valley State University

Memorial service planned for Williams at DeVos Center

Don Williams in dark suit jacket, white shirt, red tie in front of window with black drapes pulled in.
Don Williams, dean emeritus of minority affairs, died in March at age 89.

A celebration of life will be held on May 16 on the City Campus for Don Williams Sr., retired dean emeritus of minority affairs. Williams died in late March at age 89.

Williams worked as director of the Minority Business Education Center and was appointed as dean in 1989. He developed programs to address the academic and social needs of students of color in business, science and mathematics, and education. Those programs served as the foundation for the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

The service is 1-3 p.m. on May 16 at the DeVos Center, Exhibition Hall. President Philomena V. Mantella, B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and College Futures, and Bobby Springer, director of GEAR UP, will give remarks. Cassonya Carter, senior community impact and holistic student support specialist for the Kirkhof College of Nursing, will perform musical selections.

Parking will be available in the DeVos lot. Guests can join Williams's family for lunch after the service.

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