Vice President Emerita Dr. Jo Watts Williams received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award on May 30, 2014 at Elon University's annual Staff Appreciation Day. Past recipients include Maya Angelou, John Hope Franklin and Elon President Emeritus Dr. J. Earl Danieley.

Williams '55 has served the Elon University community as a staff member for nearly 50 years. During her time, she has taught in both the education and psychology departments and served as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of the Learning Resource Center, Vice President for Development and Special Assistant to the President.

In her time she has worked under four of the eight Elon presidents.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was established in 1963 to recognize individuals who have dedicated their effort and time to make extraordinary contributions to the state, communities, careers and organizations. William's award was presented by State Senator Richard Gunn and Elon University President Leo Lambert on behalf of Gov. Pat McCrory.

"Few people know the family tree of Elon or Alamance County better than Jo Williams" said Elon University President Leo M. Lambert. "We are a stronger institution because of her efforts."

Williams welcomed her son Lee, his wife Beth and her daughter-in-law Elizabeth to the stage to accept the award with her.

This is just one of many awards Williams has received in her time at Elon. She was Elon's Distinguished Alumna of the Year in 1995, received the Elon Medallion for outstanding service to Elon in 1998, the Frank S. Holt, Jr. Business Leadership Award in 2008 and the first Heart of Gold lifetime achievement award for Elon alumna in 2010.

She was further honored in 2013 when Oaks A residence hall was renamed "Williams" in her honor.

Williams began her career at Elon as a student. She graduated from Elon College in 1955 and initially pursued a career as a public school teacher in Burlington, Concord and Alamance County.

After a successful 14 years, she returned to Elon in 1969 to teach in the department of education and psychology. In 1977, Williams was named Elon's Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and Director of the Learning Resource Center.

Later in 1979, Williams became vice president of development for 16-year tenure before retiring in 1995. During her period as vice president, alumni giving increased from 9 percent to 46 percent and annual giving increased 92 percent.

When Williams retired as vice president, she was named special assistant to the president.

Outside of the university, Williams is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, and stays active in the by serving on the boards of several local organizations, including Alamance Regional Medical Center, Hospice of Alamance County and Burlington Boys and Girls Club.

While Williams has watched the university grow and expand over the years, she acknowledged in a previous interview with Elon Local News that one thing hasn't changed.

"The thing that is still in place is this sense of community and the sense of caring. The values haven't changed."