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Lycoming College today announced the appointment of Walter C. Williams to the position of vice president for college advancement. Reporting directly to the president, Williams will serve as the chief fundraising officer and a member of the administrative cabinet, while acting as the liaison to the board of trustees’ advancement committee.
A strategic and mission-driven advancement executive, Williams brings more than 30 years of experience leading high-performing teams at public and private institutions. In his new role, he will oversee major and planned gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, advancement services, and foundation relations. Williams will work closely with the president and board of trustees to identify fundraising priorities, develop comprehensive campaign efforts, and maintain a personal portfolio of major and principal donors. He will also provide strategic leadership to build upon Lycoming’s philanthropic momentum, expand the College's endowment and capital projects, and support signature alumni events.
“Walter brings a very strong record as an advancement leader and fundraiser. He immediately stood out through the search process and demonstrated his capacity to lead Lycoming’s talented and experienced advancement team. I am very excited to welcome him to Lycoming College and look forward to the ways in which his leadership and commitment to the liberal arts and sciences will shape the future of Lycoming College,” said Chip Edmonds, president of Lycoming College.
Most recently, Williams served as assistant vice president for development at The College of Wooster, where he partnered in the planning and early execution of the college’s next comprehensive campaign and helped build and lead a 20-plus member development team designed to strengthen fundraising performance, donor engagement, and long-term philanthropic growth. Prior to Wooster, he served as vice president for development and alumni relations at Hiram College, and vice president for advancement and executive director of the foundation at SUNY Empire State University. His extensive career also includes senior advancement roles at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Syracuse University, and Cornell University.
“Lycoming’s commitment to a distinguished liberal arts and sciences education within a supportive residential community resonates deeply with me,” said Williams. “The College’s emphasis on experiential learning, student opportunity, and endowment-supported access offers a compelling case for philanthropy that is both mission-centered and impact-driven. I look forward to partnering with President Edmonds, the trustees, and the entire Lycoming community to sustain and grow the College's philanthropic momentum.”
Williams holds a master’s degree in organizational communication, learning and design from Ithaca College, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the University of Mississippi. He also holds professional certifications from Northwestern University's Kellogg Executive Education and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.