Winter 2006

To Be of Good Service: Celebrating the Life of
Professor of Chemistry Ted Williams

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Theodore Roosevelt “Ted” Williams, professor of chemistry, emeritus, died on Nov. 11, 2005, following a period of declining health. He served the College for more than four decades.

Williams cherished his primary role as a science educator. He was nationally known for his research as well as his commitment to making science more accessible to women and minorities. He brought the BWISER (Buckeye Women in Science, Education, and Research) Institute to campus in 1990 and participated in COSEN (Carolinas and Ohio Science and Engineering Network), a program that promotes science education among women and minorities.

Shortly after his retirement in 2001, Williams was chosen to receive the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. Presented at the White House, this award was the capstone of Williams’ career achievements, which included honors from several professional organizations.

As a researcher, Williams focused on human eye tissue, working to develop new techniques that would identify disease in the lens and cornea. As an educator, he was a leading proponent of discoverybased learning for those interested in science.

Williams published many articles in analytical chemistry and served the American Chemical Society in a variety of capacities, including as president of the analytical section. He also served as editor of the Journal of Chemical Education. He was one of only 400 African American scientists to be included in a publication that profiled 20th century science innovators who directly improved quality of life.

Born on October 23, 1930, in Washington, D.C., Williams came to the College in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree from Howard University, a master’s from Pennsylvania State University, and the Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut.

During the next 42 years, he had a profound effect on the study of chemistry, especially at Wooster. College President R. Stanton Hales noted, “Williams’ remarkable tenure far more than fulfilled his expressed wish in 1959 that, ‘I may be of good service to Wooster.’He was a born teacher and a legend in his time for extraordinary personal attention to literally thousands of students.”

Williams had an extraordinary rapport with young people. “Never have I seen anyone who engaged students as fully and on as many levels as Dr.Williams, ” said former student Scott Cooley ’78.

Mary Grove McCoy ’65, associate professor of chemistry at Neumann College in Aston, Pa., said of Williams, “His infectious enthusiasm, warmth, knowledgeable presentations, involvement, intellectual rigor, and standards provided a constant and concrete role model for me.”

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