Wednesday, September 8, 2004

Writer: Sharron Hannon, 706/583-0728, shannon@uga.edu
Contact: Jere Morehead, 706/542-5806, morehead@uga.edu

David Williams Named Director of UGA Honors Program

Athens, Ga. – David S. Williams, professor and head of the department of religion at the University of Georgia, has been appointed director of UGA’s Honors Program, which includes responsibility for the Foundation Fellows Program and the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities.

Pending Board of Regents approval, he will assume his new duties Sept. 15.Williams will report to Jere Morehead, vice provost for academic affairs, who served as director of the Honors Program prior to assuming his current position in August.

"David has a long and distinguished record with the UGA Honors Program and is dedicated to our students,” said Morehead. “I look forward to working with him to advance the quality of honors education at UGA."

Williams is an alumnus of UGA’s Honors Program, having been part of the program as an undergraduate with a double major in anthropology and religion.  He has taught Honors courses at UGA for several years and since 2002 has served as a senior faculty fellow with the Foundation Fellows Program, which offers an enhanced educational experience for academically outstanding undergraduate students.

“We’re pleased to find such a capable and talented individual to succeed Jere Morehead in directing the Honors Program,” said Arnett C. Mace Jr., senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “I know this nationally recognized program will continue to advance with David Williams’ leadership.”

A faculty member in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences' religion department since 1989, Williams became department head in 2002.  He has received several awards and honors related to teaching at UGA including the Richard B. Russell Undergraduate Teaching Award, the Sandy Beaver Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Sandy Beaver Teaching Professorship.  He is a member of the UGA Teaching Academy and has served as a Senior Teaching Fellow.

Though busy in the classroom, Williams has maintained a rigorous research program in the fields of biblical and cognate studies, Judaica and religious studies. He is the author of two books, three biblical commentaries, and numerous journal articles and other publications. He is currently working on a third book on the history of religion in Georgia.

Williams also has been active in university governance, serving as chair of the Educational Affairs Committee of the University Council from 1999 to 2001 and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the University Council since 2002.   He also has served in the Franklin College Senate, the Graduate Council and several other university and college committees.

Williams was one of three finalists from the ranks of UGA tenured professors recommended by a screening and advisory committee to be the new director of the Honors Program, which enrolls approximately 10 percent of the undergraduate student body.

For additional information on the Honors Program, Foundation Fellows Program and Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities, see www.uga.edu/honors.