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Williams, Gary B. and Pamela S. Endowed Lecture Series in Biology

The Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Endowed Lecture Series in Biology was established by Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams in 1985 and revised in 2016. The endowment supports an annual lecture series that brings nationally known scientists to The University of Akron to discuss projects and demonstrate research techniques with students. This format allows °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ students to interact with the scientists on an informal basis – an interaction that can be influential in a student’s career development. Having earned his undergraduate degree in biology, Gary has an interest in providing special learning opportunities to graduate and undergraduate biology students.

Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams, who met as undergraduates at The University of Akron, are members of the Class of 1968 and longtime, generous benefactors of their alma mater. Their gifts to the University, which began in 1970, benefit generations of students.

Gary earned a B.S. in biology with honors from °µºÚ±¬ÁÏ, where the future physician was a member of numerous organizations, including Alpha Chi Sigma (Chemistry) honorary, Omicron Delta Kappa honorary, Sigma Pi fraternity, Intrafraternity Council, Student Government, and The Buchtelite staff. He earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1972 and completed surgical training at Summa Akron City Hospital. Now retired from his position as a full-time surgeon for Summa Akron City and St. Thomas hospitals after nearly 40 years, Gary continues to see patients and do surgery on a part-time basis. He was chief of the Division of General Surgery at Summa Health System and also served as Medical Director of Summa’s Breast Health Cancer Center. He also is an associate professor of surgery at Northeast Ohio Medical University and has been an instructor of surgery at The Ohio State University. Gary has served as president of the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, as well as on the Board of Governors for the national organization. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a past president of the Medical Society of Greater Akron, and a member of the Ohio State Medical Association.

Pamela earned a bachelor’s degree in education from The University of Akron and has devoted much of her life to volunteer work and philanthropy. As an American Red Cross volunteer, she often is deployed to disasters across the United States. She also is a member of Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, which she served as president in 2009, and is chairperson of the City of Akron Housing Appeals Board. Previously, she served on the United Way of Summit County Board, as president of the Leadership Akron Alumni Association, and as a board member and president of the Summit County Bluecoats. In recognition of her community service, Pamela has received numerous honors, including the H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award from the American Red Cross of Summit and Portage Counties in 2014; the Peter Bommarito Community Award from the United Way of Summit County in 1999; and the Distinguished Leader Award from Leadership Akron in 1999. She is a graduate of Leadership Akron-Class of 1992.

At her alma mater, Pamela is a member of The University of Akron Foundation Board of Directors and the Committee on Directors, as well as the President’s Advisory Council. She also serves on the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Council and is a past member of the College’s Advancement Council.

Gary and Pamela are members of the Founder’s Club of the John R. Buchtel Society and the Society of Tomorrow at The University of Akron, and both are recipients of the Alumni Honor Award — the highest honor The University of Akron bestows. Pamela was honored in 1992, and Gary was honored in 2008. Additionally, the couple will be awarded honorary doctorates from The University of Akron at the May 2016 commencement ceremony.