UAMS’ Williamson Honored Among National Fundraising Peers

By Nate Hinkel

 Sue Williamson, who's served UAMS for nearly three decades, accepted one of the development profession's highest honors March 21 in Chicago.

May 3, 2010 | A University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) development officer, Sue S. Williamson, was recently honored with the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ top award at the trade organization’s annual conference.

The AFP presented its “Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional” to Williamson March 21 at the AFP’s 48th International Conference on Fundraising in Chicago.

“This award is not a reflection of any one individual’s effort or performance,” said Williamson, senior director of donor development programs at UAMS. “It’s more a representation of the wonderful people and commitment to excellence at UAMS. It’s a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone affiliated with this institution.”

Williamson was recruited to join UAMS by former Chancellor Harry P. Ward, M.D., more than 26 years ago to establish a comprehensive development program for the campus. She is credited with playing an instrumental role in raising funds for nearly all of the construction projects that have transformed the UAMS campus.

“Although this is truly an individual award to honor the tremendous career she has had in the industry, Sue has a graceful and generous way of deflecting the attention from herself and placing it solely back on UAMS and our efforts as an institution,” said Kent Westbrook, M.D., interim vice chancellor of development. “She made sure that UAMS was in the spotlight that night in front of a national audience and we should all be proud.”

Some of Williamson’s career highlights include being a part of the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute’s initial $12 million research and capital campaign in the 1980s and the $63.5 million Invest in Life campaign in the 1990s. She was interim director for the $15 million Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging Campaign match in 2004 and senior director of the successful $200 million UAMS Medical Center hospital expansion. Most recently, Williamson was involved along with her colleagues in the comprehensive Campaign Imagine that surpassed its original goal of $325 million to reach more than $385 million, benefitting the entire UAMS campus.

Before speaking to a crowd of more than 800 fundraising professionals, a video showcasing the faculty and facilities at UAMS was shown.

“I am proud to have spent the better part of my career serving a fine institution such as UAMS,” Williamson said. “It has given me more than I could ever imagine giving to it.”