With Williamsons' generous gift, Legacy Hall is a step closer to being ‘open for business’

Giving of one's time, talent and treasure to worthwhile organizations is of prime importance to 1971 FSU College of Business graduate Bill Williamson and his wife, Connie. Supporting his alma mater – the Alumni Association, Seminole Boosters, the FSU Foundation and the College of Business – is one way for the couple to invest in the future of FSU and its students. 

The couple’s recent gift to the college in honor of his family will fund an undergraduate breakout room in Legacy Hall, the college’s new home. They also are in the process of leaving their legacy at FSU through an estate gift that will benefit the College of Business in various capacities.

“Connie and I felt our donation to Legacy Hall was a way to show support for a university we both love and hold dear,” he said. “I would encourage other alumni to consider the College of Business in their annual charitable giving plans, because as their wealth grows and their charitable giving increases, the college is a great place to begin supporting and continue supporting throughout their careers.”

Though Connie graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in zoology and received a nursing degree from the University of South Carolina Upstate, Williamson said she caught the “FSU bug” when she worked in FSU’s Department of Biological Sciences conducting endocrinology research. Now a registered nurse, she works part time at Spartanburg Regional Hospital.

For his part, Williamson said the College of Business was a “springboard’’ as he embarked on a successful 42-year career as a senior executive in the health-care profession, and that is a major reason he maintains his connection to the college and university.

“Walking around campus recently, I was excited to see all the newly completed construction that has taken place since I graduated, as well as all the construction currently underway, and all for the benefit of students. I look forward to the day when Legacy Hall is complete and officially open for business.”

Almost immediately upon earning his degree in management, Williamson went to work for Beverly Enterprises, headquartered in Pasadena, Calif. The next 15 years, he rose from food services supervisor to senior vice president of operations. Between 1988 and 1995, he served as regional manager at Healthcare Retirement Corporation of America in Greenville, S.C., and Liberty Healthcare Inc., also in Greenville. He then spent 10 years as director of operations at Health Management Resources Inc., during which time the company grew from 11 facilities to 21 in three states.

From there, he advanced to vice president and chief operating officer at HMR Advantage Health Systems Inc., in Easley, S.C. One of three partners, he was responsible for operations and clinical services and oversight of marketing and rehabilitation services. In 2010, the partners sold the company to Covenant Dove LLC, and for the next three years, Williamson served as director of operations for Community Care Homes Inc. in Greenville.

Now retired from his fulfilling career, Williamson is aware of the importance to inspire young people. “I have always said to aspiring young professionals that to succeed in life in the business world you need four things: a good education, hard work, a few breaks and good luck, and to be the best No. 2 person in an organization, if the No. 1 position is already taken.” 

“We are fortunate to have people of Bill and Connie’s caliber and experience involved with the college and our students,” said Michael D. Hartline, interim dean. “We’re excited about their gift and grateful that they chose to be part of the present and the future of the college.”