A chapter of the history of Alabama journalism comes to a close this week, as longtime journalism professor and former Auburn Plainsman adviser Ed Williams’ retirement became official this week.
For 30 years, Williams has been the gatekeeper of the Auburn journalism department, through his JRNL 1100 class (Journalism Fundamentals) where students made their way through AP style spelling tests and other copy editing conundrums.
Those who passed moved on to bigger and better things within the department; those who didn’t found themselves searching for other, less strenuous majors.
Through his work as adviser at The Auburn Plainsman, Williams left indelible marks on the souls of hundreds of budding journalists, impressing upon them some of the basic tenets of journalism that he had honed working at community newspapers across the state.
Every bit of marked-up copy taught you a lesson.
Every “Who he?” or “Who they?” in a photo caption taught us that names matter, and we must be constantly vigilant in making sure we find out our subjects’ names (and be certain we spell them correctly.)
Williams taught us, through his words and actions, that one of the journalist’s highest callings is to take on the role of a storyteller.
Like his dear friend Kathryn Tucker Windham before him, Williams could spin a good yarn, and, regardless of where you might be from, Williams would likely have a tale or two from your hometown - one that you may have never even heard before.
In his simple, quiet way, Williams reached out and offered a hand of friendship to countless numbers of students. A visit to his Foy basement office back during his Plainsman days might have netted you a glass bottle Coke, some Lance peanut butter crackers and, most importantly, some excellent story-swapping time.
The Williams legacy can be seen on the pages of papers and in newsrooms across the nation, from here in small town Alabama to the halls of 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
No matter where we are or what we may do in our lives, we Williamsian disciples carry with us the lessons we so dutifully learned from that wonderful man.
While we find ourselves saddened that future generations will be deprived the gold standard that was the “Ed Williams experience,” we know that the man and his legend will continue on.
I’m proud to call Ed Williams a friend and mentor, and I know I am not alone in wishing him an enjoyable and restful retirement, even if I firmly believe that he won’t be at rest terribly long.
Professor Williams, you have brought joy and wisdom to the lives of thousands of Auburn students over the course of your career, and your actions and kindnesses will forever change the face of journalism in the state of Alabama.
Wherever there’s an Ed Williams’ student, there will be a journalist who takes pride in their work, who safely guards their subjects’ stories, and who attempts the cleanest, most vigorous writing they can.
We thank you for your time and efforts in helping to make us better people. Congratulations, my friend.
