Dr. John H. Williams-----Class of 1954

John “Jack” Williams, MD remembers his U-High experience as one which changed his life, so much so that he established the Crossroads Scholarship for a senior at U-High. In his own words, Jack established the scholarship because he feels “that the experience at U-High was the first major crossroad which allowed me to change directions and which influenced the rest of my life. I will always be grateful for that. It was the foundation that helped me compete at the highest academic levels.”

Indeed, following U-High graduation, Jack studied at Baylor University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1960, and then his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Baylor College of Medicine in 1964. He completed his internship in radiology and residency at the University of Virginia Hospital and a fellowship in vascular radiology at Duke University Medical Center.

Board certified in radiology, Jack was the first radiologist to be elected President of the Henderson County Medical Society, and as representative to the North Carolina Medical Society. He has served as Chief of the Radiology Department, as well as Chief and Vice-Chief  of the Medical Staff at the Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital. He is Founder and President of the Blue Ridge Radiological Society, and served as the North Carolina Radiological Society’s Representative to the National Conference of the American College of Radiology. In addition to his commitments to the medical profession, Jack has been President and Vice-president, and representative to state meetings, for the Sunset Rotary Club in Hendersonville, North Carolina, President of the Hendersonville Middle School Parent Teacher Association, and Member of the Church Council for Grace Lutheran Church.

Since Jack’s retirement from medical practice in 1994, he and his wife Lynne have been involved with volunteerism and philanthropic support, not only for U-High, but also for the Oconee County Memorial Hospital Hospice House and the Oconee County Habitat for Humanity, in South Carolina. They fund and administer the Blue Ridge Literacy/Education Funds at Blue Ridge Community College in Hendersonville, and the Bootstrap Scholarship Fund which is offered to the children of Oconee County Habitat for Humanity families. They are in the initial phase of organizing an endowed scholarship at Baylor University in Texas.

Active in the U-High Alumni Association, Jack reports that he tried (unsuccessfully) to organize 35^th, 40^th, and 45^th class reunions, but the 50^th was definitely a success! He returned to U-High to present the first of the Crossroads Scholarships in 1999 at the May Awards Ceremony, and he returned again in 2004 to present the scholarship. He has now created the scholarship as an endowment, and has made provisions for U-High through his estate, such that the Crossroads Scholarship will continue in perpetuity. As a member of the Laboratory Schools Legacy Society, one his most recent contributions is his active service as an Ambassador for the Laboratory School Campaign. Thank you Jack for all you have done to support and contribute to your first Alma Mater!