Carolyn Williams

In a desk in the right corner of the records office, you will find Carolyn Williams surrounded by elephants, Tennessee Volunteers memorabilia, and many pictures of her family. Williams is just as passionate about and dedicated to her position at Lee as she is to her beloved Volunteers. The warming smile and welcoming face of this senior registration specialist is comforting and intoxicating to many students.

Originally from Cleveland and an alumnus of Lee University, Williams entered the work force after being a stay-at-home mom for several years. “I have two daughters and I wanted to be there to raise them. One of them was a special needs child, so I especially wanted to be at home with her,” said Williams”

It wasn’t until both of her daughters were much older and didn’t need her constant care that Carolyn decided that she wanted to start working again. For five years prior to her employment at Lee, Williams worked part-time at the Pathway Credit Union. “After being part-time for a few years, I knew that I wanted something more, I wanted to become full-time,” she said. Williams heard through the grapevine that Lee University was hiring. Other people had told her it was a good place to work, so she decided to give it a chance. “Lee was the only place that I applied to for a full-time job, and when I was hired, I knew it was God behind it all.” Not sure exactly why she was here, Williams embraced this new part of her life with open arms.

Shortly after she started working, a co-worker encouraged her to apply for the Lee Tuition Waiver Exchange Program. This program was designed to give a child of a Lee faculty or staff member the opportunity to attend Lee for “free.” Their tuition would be waived as long as their parent was employed at Lee. “My co-worker knew about my daughter Allison and knew that paying for college was going to be difficult for my husband and I. Not having anything to lose, I applied for the program.” There was a space open in the program when Williams applied, so Allison was granted the opportunity to attend and graduate from Lee.

“When Allison was accepted into the program, it was a miracle. I knew it was God’s timing because it couldn’t have worked out any better; it was an answer to prayer and exactly what we needed,” said Williams. “I am so glad that the Lord placed me in the Records Office and I want to continue to fulfill what he wants me to do here.”

Carolyn Williams is not just today’s news; she is a very familiar face to the campus of Lee University. She has been working joyfully and diligently in the records office now for 16 years. She sees what some would consider a routine job a ministry. “I believe I was meant to work in this specific area of Lee and this is where I am going to stay.”

Known as the “office decorator” you will always be able to tell what time of year it is by the festive decorations that Williams provides to the Records Office. Whether it is leaves and pumpkins in the fall or flowers in the spring, there is always a warm, welcoming feeling in the records office thanks to Williams.

Williams brings much more to the records office than decorative leaves, pumpkins or flowers; she is full of life, love, and the joy of the Lord. “I have had opportunities to change positions or accept other jobs, but I know the Lord has me here for reason and I believe that he wants me to stay here.” It is because of her passion for Lee and her love for the Lord that the records office is not a dreaded visit for anyone.

Not only will you find season-specific adornments on bookshelves and filing cabinets, but also a large collection of small ceramic elephants at Carolyn’s desk. These ceramic figurines have been given to her by students and other faculty from all over the world.

“Elephants are my favorite animal and I love to collect them,” said Williams. “Just recently I received one as a gift from a student who traveled to Africa over the summer. This one is very special to me because I was honored to receive something from him. He told me that he wanted to give me something in return for being an encouraging person to him throughout the semester.”

Williams takes her job working with students outside of the office as well.

“I like the students and I love the interaction that I have with them. Knowing that I was able to help someone or give encouraging words is the most rewarding part of my job.” As an honorary member and former sponsor of Delta Zeta Tau, and honorary little sister of Pi Kappa Pi, Williams shows her heart for Lee University and even more so for its students.

“Being an honorary member in both clubs was such an honor. I was not expecting to be tapped into either one, but I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to experience it. It gave me the chance to get to know some of the students better and I felt as though I was a mother to them all. Allison was an active member of DZT while she was a student, and sharing that with her was absolutely priceless,” said Williams. “The men of Pi Kappa Pi were also such a blessing to me because I was tapped without having any relation to any of the members, past or present. Most honorary members have a child or family member in, so I was totally blown away to know they had chosen me as an honorary little sister.”

In the spring of 1996, Williams was honored for her work with students as the recipient of the Glass Flame Award, a recognition of an outstanding faculty or staff member given by the student body of Lee University.

If you are unable to find Williams in the records office, she can be spotted out and about in the Cleveland community. On Sundays, she can be seen singing in the choir at North Cleveland Church of God. “Singing has always been a part of my life. I grew up in the Church of God with and in a musical family. My mom started the first teen choir at South Cleveland Church of God.”

Also a shop-a-holic, Williams likes to collect things such as shoes and “old town” cast iron collectible buildings that recreate what Cleveland looked like over 100 years ago. Williams and her husband are also members of the Flames Club and devoted Tennessee Volunteers fans and spectators. They can be found cheering on the Flames men’s basketball team, or at any Vols event. “I love sports, I love my family, and I’ve managed to incorporate them together in my life. Any sporting event is also a family event,” said Williams.

Celebrating her 40th wedding anniversary next year, Williams and her husband Boyd have two daughters, Allison and Jennifer. Allison and her husband Andy are living in Ocala, Florida, and Jennifer lives in a group home in the Cleveland area. “Just nine months ago, my husband and I were blessed to become grandparents. Our grandson, Cole, is my pride and joy,” added Williams.

Carolyn has lived in Cleveland her whole life and doesn’t plan on moving anywhere else. “This is a great town to raise a family. There is a lot of Christian influence in the schools and community; I have loved my life here. This is my home.”
 

Posted on - 12/13/07