In Memoriam: Camilla Ella Williams (1919-2012)

Camilla Williams, professor emerita at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, died from complications of cancer earlier this week in Bloomington, Indiana. She was 92 years old.

In 1946 Williams starred in the New York City Opera Company’s production of Madama Butterfly. This was the first time that an African American woman appeared with a major U.S. opera company. Williams’ appearance preceded by nine years Marian Anderson’s debut with the Metropolitan Opera.

Williams was a native of Danville, Virginia. She was the valedictorian of the Class of 1937 at John M. Langston High School and went on to be named the outstanding graduate of the Class of 1941 at Virginia State University.

Williams sang at the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington and at the 1964 ceremony when Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She retired from performing in 1971 and taught at Brooklyn College, Bronx College, and Queens College. In 1977 she was appointed professor of voice at Indiana University. In 1983 she served as a visiting professor at the Beijing Central Conservatory. Williams was the first Black to teach at the school. She retired from teaching in 1997.

Related Articles

Latest News

Data Shows High Attrition Rates for Women in STEM Degree Programs

For women who began their four-year college career in a STEM discipline, 14 percent dropped out of college and 32 percent switched to a non-STEM major before earning their degree.

Monique Guillory Named Ninth President of Dillard University

Dr. Guillory has served as Dillard University's interim president for the past seven months. Her background includes over three decades of higher education administration experience.

Lynne Coy-Organ Is the First Woman President of Husson University

Lynne Coy-Organ has been named the first woman president of Husson University in Maine. She has served as the university's provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for the past 15 years.

Donna Hedgepath Will Be the First Woman President of Wayland Baptist University

Current provost of Campbellsville University in Kentucky, Donna Hedgepath, has been named president of Wayland Baptist University in Texas, making her the first woman to be selected for the position.

Three Women Scholars Appointed to Provost Positions

The new provosts are Elizabeth Dumont at the University of California, Merced, Marguerite Giguette at Xavier University in New Orleans, and Margaret Brown Marsden at Midwestern State University in Texas.

Lecturer in Stage Management

The Lecturer in Stage Management will be responsible for teaching three courses and stage managing three Main Stage shows in the Department of Theater and Performance Studies production season.

Vice President for Finance and Enrollment Services

The Vice President for Finance and Enrollment Services is the Chief Financial Officer and principal advisor to the President on all matters related to the management and oversight of business and financial affairs of the College at all campuses and locations, the Foundation, and budgeting oversight for grants.

Assistant Professor in Metabolism Research

The Morgridge Institute for Research, in partnership with the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, seeks a joint tenure track assistant professor to lead a vibrant metabolism-focused research program.

Executive Assistant to the President

The Executive Assistant to the President plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the President's Office at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), ensuring seamless administrative support that reflects the institution's high standards of professionalism and service.

Acquisitions Librarian

The Acquisitions Librarian responsibilities have an emphasis on one-time, profile-based and approval plan acquisitions that support the general collection, Special Collections and Area Studies.