Biography: Dr. Gary B. and Mrs. Pamela S. Williams

Dr. Gary B. and Mrs. Pamela S. Williams, who met as undergraduates at The University of Akron, have remained connected to their alma mater in the decades since they both crossed the stage at Commencement in 1968.

Dr. Williams, who earned a B.S. in Biology (with honors), went on to earn his medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1972 and he then completed surgical training at Summa Akron City Hospital.

As a student at UA, 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.

Pam Williams earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and taught at schools in Cuyahoga Falls, Worthington and Akron. As an undergraduate, she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

Affinity for Akron

The Williamses have remained deeply rooted in the Akron community.

Dr. Williams, who is now retired from his position as a full-time surgeon for Summa Akron City and St. Thomas Hospitals after nearly 40 years in practice, 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 is an associate professor of surgery at Northeast Ohio Medical University and he has been an instructor of surgery at The Ohio State University.

He has served as the 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.

Volunteer work and philanthopy

Pam Williams has devoted much of her time to volunteer work and philanthropy. As an American Red Cross volunteer, she is often deployed to disasters across the United States. She also is a member of Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, serving as its president in 2009 and serving as a chairperson of the City of Akron Housing Appeals Board. Previously, she served on the United Way of Summit County Board, and is a past president of the Leadership Akron Alumni Association and is a board member and past president of the Summit County Bluecoats Inc.

At her alma mater, Pam Williams 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.

In recognition of her community service, Pam Williams has received numerous honors, including the 2014 H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award from the American Red Cross of Summit and Portage Counties; the Peter Bommarito Community Award from the United Way of Summit County in 1999; and the Distinguished Leader Award from Leadership Akron in1999. She is a graduate of Leadership Akron — Class of 1992.

Generous support to UA

Together, the Williamses are members of the Founder’s Club of the John R. Buchtel Society and the Society of Tomorrow at The University of Akron. Their gifts to The University of Akron will benefit generations of students.

They have established The Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Endowed Lecture Series in Biology, which provides support for nationally known scientists to discuss and demonstrate research techniques to students, and The Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Endowed Scholarship for Gifted Students, which provides a student of achievement and promise sufficient funds for tuition, fees, books and living expense to fully engage in scholarship, intellectual pursuits and extracurricular student activities.

Both Dr. Gary Williams and Mrs. Pam Williams have received the Alumni Honor Award — the highest honor The University of Akron can bestow. Mrs. Pam Williams was honored in 1992 and Dr. Gary Williams in 2008.