CLARKE聽M. WILLIAMS,聽for whom ULM's聽Student Success Center聽was named, was the founder and chairman of the board of directors of CenturyTel.
Now known as CenturyLink, it is one of the largest telephone companies in the United
States and a Fortune 500 company. CenturyLink's corporate headquarters are located
just a few miles north of the ULM campus.
Mr. Williams literally grew up in the telephone business. As a boy, he worked the
switchboard in the living room of his parents Oak Ridge, La. home, and delivered his
mother's handwritten bills on his bicycle to the company's 75 customers.
After serving his nation in World War II, he returned home and married, and his parents
gave him the company as a wedding gift. He eventually grew what was then the Oak Ridge
Telephone Company to a company listed in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
Mr. Williams was a true visionary, both as a businessman and a citizen. He was also
a humble man, determined to build a business based on fairness, honesty, integrity,
commitment to excellence, positive attitude, respect, faith and perseverance. A long-time
mayor of his hometown of Oak Ridge, Mr. Williams believed in serving others.
During his lifetime, he received numerous civic awards, including the Medal of Honor
presented by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He
was also named "Humanitarian" by the Arthritis Foundation, and received the Silver
Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America.
In 2002, Mr. Williams passed away at the age of 80.
Mr. Williams built a strong, enduring legacy both in his personal life and as an exceptionally
successful business leader. He made countless contributions to his community and to
the telecommunications industry.
His values and principles will continue to live on through the many people he touched
throughout his lifetime. This is especially true in the case of ULM's new student
success center, which will directly impact hundreds of thousands of students, young
and old, through the years ahead.
ULM is grateful to CenturyLink and is honored to have one of the most important buildings
on its campus, the聽Clarke M. Williams Student Success Center, named after such a distinguished
and accomplished individual.
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