Richard L. Williams Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Richard (Dick) L. Williams was born April 16, 1936 in Lake Johanna, Minnesota. Dick held a bachelor’s degree in Math Education, from St. Cloud State College (Minnesota), a master’s degree in physics from Cornell University, (Ithaca, New York), and a PhD in curriculum and instruction from Washington State University. In 1969 he immigrated to Canada to join the UVic Faculty of Education, where he held several administrative positions; associate dean, assistant dean, director of professional studies, and was director of the David Thompson University Centre program for three years in Nelson, B.C. A well-liked and active administrator, he was instrumental in bringing local educators into the teacher education programs and was a strong supporter and promoter of distance education, delivering hundreds of workshop and conference presentations to various groups of teachers and administrators. He was also a founding member of the Vancouver Island Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary education fraternity. In addition to being an avid sport fisherman, Williams was known in the community for his involvement in the Rotary Club and the Sooke School Board. In 1998, he received the Paul Harris Award (Rotary founder) in recognition of his service. His dedication to supporting educators and making learning meaningful to students was widely known and fondly remembered. He was a friend and mentor to many, and was known for being tough on issues and gentle with people. He passed away on December 17, 2000.