JACKSONVILLE, AL — After nearly five decades in university dining, including 37 years at Jacksonville State University, Scott Williams is being recognized with a lasting tribute on campus.
The Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees has approved the naming of the Scott Williams Dining Room, honoring Williams’ 47-year career in campus dining. The recognition, supported through a gift from Sodexo, reflects his longstanding role in shaping the university’s dining services and campus experience.
“Scott has been a constant at Jax State for nearly five decades,” said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. “He knows our people, he knows our students, and he has been part of their lives in ways that go far beyond dining services. Naming the Scott Williams Dining Room is a fitting way to recognize the impact he has had on this institution, and while his absence will be felt, his legacy will remain part of the daily experience on this campus.”
Williams began his career in higher education dining in 1979 while attending Jacksonville State University, working with Sodexo as a student employee. Over the years, he advanced through leadership roles, earning a reputation for consistency, professionalism, and a people-centered approach.
“For 47 years, this has been more than a job—it has been family,” Williams said. “To have the dining room named in my honor is something I never imagined, and I am truly grateful.”
His career included positions at multiple institutions, including seven years at the University of South Carolina. He later served as General Manager at Spartanburg Methodist College and Converse College before returning to Jacksonville State in 1996.
Upon his return, Williams served as Retail Manager of the Theron Montgomery Building Food Court before being named General Manager of Campus Dining in 1998. In that role, he oversaw daily dining operations and major transitions, including the move from Jack Hopper Dining Hall to the university’s new Dining Hall in July 2024.
Throughout his tenure, Williams became known not only for overseeing operations but also for building relationships with students, faculty, staff, and colleagues, contributing to the broader campus community.
A Jacksonville native, Williams has maintained strong ties to both the university and the surrounding community. He and his wife, Shelly, have been married for 39 years, and their four daughters are all graduates of Jacksonville State University.
Williams is set to retire on April 28, 2026, concluding a career that spans nearly half a century. The naming of the Scott Williams Dining Room ensures his contributions will remain a visible part of campus life for years to come.
