Sue Carolyn Shepherd Williamson, a longtime fundraising professional at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, passed away on December 15. She was 93 years old.
A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Williamson began her undergraduate education at Randolph Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College) in Lynchburg, Virginia. After two years, she transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology.
For over three decades, Williamson ran numerous fundraising campaigns for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Over the course of her tenure, she was a key leader in the development of nearly every center of excellence, new building, named endowment, and special event. Among many university-wide initiatives, Williamson assisted with major campaigns to expand the Jones Eye Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, and the UAMS Medical Center hospital. Additionally, she created several ongoing programs that have generated significant funds for UAMS, including the annual Medical Research Endowment Awards and the Chancellor’s Circle.
On several occasions, Williamson received recognition from the UAMS administration for her outstanding contributions to the university, including the Chairman’s Award from the College of Medicine’s department of otolaryngology and the Dean’s Award from the College of Nursing. Later in her career, Williamson received both the President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement and the International Fundraising Executive Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.