Distinguished Alumnus Bob Williams, '79, to Host Two On-Campus Discussions

When Bob Williams, ’79, was named the college’s Distinguished Alumnus at 2011 Commencement, he said he was so excited to be back on the Buffalo State campus that he wanted to return—at a time when he could interact with students.

This week Williams, who serves as vice president of communication for the NCAA, has that opportunity. And the campus community, especially communication majors and student athletes, have the chance to tap into his vast expertise.

Williams will give two talks on Thursday, April 12, that are open to everyone. The first, “The College Sports Landscape: Separating Fact from Myth,” 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center North, will cover the mission of the NCAA, how the organization is governed, college sports reform initiatives, and the challenges of executing a communication strategy for the world’s leading college sports governing body. Williams also will discuss the enormous changes that have taken place in media since he started out in his career and the integrity required for communications efforts in the digital age.

“He’s been involved in some controversial issues in college athletics over the past year that he had to handle very publicly,” noted Jennifer Heisey, director of Alumni Affairs. “He’s really in tune with what is happening in the communications profession in general and in athletics communications specifically.”

During his second talk, “The Power of Diversity in Higher Education,” 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 208, Williams will discuss NCAA’s long history of promoting diversity within and among its approximately 1,200-member colleges and universities, conferences, and organizations. He’ll touch on a recent report from the American Council on Education and the American Association of University Professors that found diversity education “extends the meaning of personal, social, and moral growth and improves the capacity of colleges and universities to achieve their missions.”

This session is sponsored by the President’s Council on Equity and Campus Diversity and the Buffalo State NCBI Coalition Building Team.

“Bob is really excited to talk about the NCAA’s commitment to diversity, and it pairs so nicely with our diversity initiatives on campus,” Heisey said.

A question-and-answer session will follow both talks.

Friday morning Williams will meet with coaches and professional staff in the athletics department to talk about current trends in NCAA Division III sports.

“He’s coming here as an alum who cares and wants to share his expertise and serve as a mentor,” Heisey said. “We really do want our alumni to be more involved in the student experience, and we are trying to encourage more of this kind of interaction.”