Legacy of Philanthropy, Love for the U of A Spark New Engineering Chair

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Herman and Barbara Williamson over the years.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The late Herman and Barbara Williamson of Shreveport, Louisiana, grew up in families with a history of philanthropy and community service.

The Williamsons, who both attended the University of Arkansas, have continued that legacy by creating an endowed chair in the College of Engineering with a $1.5 million gift.

“We are so grateful for this gift,” said John English, dean of engineering. “This chair will help us attract and support top-notch teaching and research in the College of Engineering. We’re honored to be part of the legacy of this wonderful family.”

According to Karen Douciere, the executrix of the Williamsons’ estate, Herman Williamson grew up in Camden, Arkansas, and came to the university in the fall of 1947. During his junior year as an accounting major, Williamson met Barbara Dyess, a freshman who lived in Fayetteville. Both excelled academically and were valedictorians of their high school classes, and the two bonded over their love for music.

Williamson and Dyess were members of Kappa Sigma and Pi Beta Phi, respectively, at the university Williamson went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1949 – the same year he and Dyess were married in Fayetteville. The couple then settled in Shreveport, where Herman worked as an accountant for Southwestern Electric Power Co. After earning his C.P.A. license, Williamson went on to become managing director of Hurley Petroleum and later became self-employed with his own investments in oil and gas.

Barbara Williamson’s father, Earl Dyess, was a respected engineer whose career brought him to Fayetteville in 1938, where he worked as division engineer and manager for Southwestern Gas and Electric Co. with SWEPCO. In 1952, he was named vice president.

Over the years, Dyess and his wife, Lillian, became known for their community service. Earl Dyess served as a board member for the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, the Fayetteville Industrial Foundation and the Board of Stewards of the Central United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Washington County Lodge No. 1 and Masons and was active in the Lions Club. After Earl’s death in 1957, Lillian Dyess took a position as house mother for Alpha Delta Pi at the U of A. In 1961, the Dyess Substation of Southwestern Electric Power Co. in Springdale was dedicated and named in his honor.

“Mr. Dyess was known to be intellectually brilliant and a great example of someone who studied constantly to improve his education to benefit his family and the community at large,” said Douciere, who with Jamie Connors and Madeline Barnhill provided information about the Williamsons and their parents for this article.

Herman and Barbara Williamson continued this legacy of involvement and community service in their own marriage. They believed everyone should have the opportunity to receive an education and supported student scholarships, the University of Arkansas XI Educational Foundation, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund and Pi Beta Phi. They also remained loyal Razorback fans.

“The Williamsons watched every football and basketball game amongst their many forms of University of Arkansas memorabilia,” Douciere said. “Their enthusiasm for ‘everything Arkansas’ continued throughout their lives. Even after Mr. Williamson’s physical health declined, he could still be heard calling the hogs during football games or upon request for a quick entertaining moment with his friends.”

Herman Williamson died in 2011, and Barbara Williamson died in 2015.

“Both Herman and Barbara had very close relationships with their parents, as each were raised as only children,” Douciere said. “As a gift to his beloved wife for over 61 years and to honor his respected father-in-law, it was vital to Herman that this chair be named in honor of Earl Dyess.”

About the College of Engineering: The University of Arkansas College of Engineering is the largest engineering program in the state of Arkansas. Over the past decade, the college has experienced unprecedented growth. Undergraduate enrollment has doubled since 2007, and total enrollment in the college is now over 4,000 students. The College of Engineering offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in nine engineering fields, as well as incorporating distance learning and interdisciplinary programs. Faculty in the college conduct research in many key areas, including electronics, energy, healthcare logistics, nanotechnology, transportation and logistics.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.