In honor of his lifetime of service to the Institute, Eugene “Gene” Williams ’74 will be the recipient of the VMI Foundation Distinguished Service Award during the Institute’s Founders Day celebration Nov. 7, 2025.
The VMI Foundation Board of Trustees has voted to present the organization’s highest honor—the Distinguished Service Award—to Eugene “Gene” Williams ’74. Williams will receive the award at the Founders Day Convocation on post Nov. 7, 2025.
Established in 1969, the award has recognized 76 individuals whose service to the Institute, dedication to the Foundation’s mission, and professional achievements are truly exceptional.
As a cadet, Williams majored in mathematics and stood out on the football field. He received the Henry Fairfax Ayres Most Valuable Player Award in 1974, All Southern Conference and All-American honors, and played in the 1974 All-American Bowl. VMI recognized his athletic achievements by inducting him into VMI Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
After graduation, Williams began his career with C&P Telephone, a predecessor of Verizon Communications. Over 38 years, he took on roles of increasing responsibility across the country, most notably playing a leadership role in restoring communications services in New York City after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He retired from Verizon in 2012 as director of engineering for Virginia and portions of West Virginia.
Williams has long dedicated himself to devotedly serving others. He volunteered as a reader in the Books and Breakfast program in Baltimore City elementary schools and, with his family, founded a reading program at a Baltimore area shelter for women with children. A firm believer in the power of sports to shape character, he coached Little League football and baseball in both Virginia and Maryland. He also served as a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in the Washington, D.C., area; sat on the board of the American Red Cross of Central Maryland; and delivered the keynote address at the 2001 Virginia Commonwealth Games.
Williams is best known for founding the College Orientation Workshop, Inc. program in 1987. He created COW to “enrich the lives of deserving young people who are most at-risk of failing to achieve their full God-given potential.” Each summer, COW brings high-school-aged men to VMI for a 4-week summer program focused on academic development, life skills, college and career planning, and cultural enrichment. The program’s mission is to “cultivate confidence, greater self-esteem, a stronger work ethic, and a commitment to achieving success.” Since its founding, COW has inspired hundreds of young men to set ambitious goals and pursue them with determination. It also provides valuable leadership and mentorship opportunities for the cadets who serve as counselors.
His leadership and service have earned widespread recognition. He received the Achiever of Business & Education Award from the YMCA of Newark, New Jersey, in 1987, and again from the YMCA of Greater Boston, Massachusetts, in 1999. The 100 Black Men of New Jersey honored him with its Outstanding Achiever Award for Mentoring in 1991, and Bell Atlantic presented him with its Spirit of Excellence & Chairmen Award in 1996. At VMI, the Promaji Club twice recognized him—first with the Larry Howard Foster Award in 1985 and later with the club’s Jonathan M. Daniels ’61 Award in 1998, which is now presented by the Institute.
Williams’ service to his alma mater runs deep. He served as a VMI Foundation trustee from 1996–97, a Keydet Club Board of Governors member from 1989–92, and, in 1978, Williams became the youngest member of the VMI Board of Visitors, serving for a decade. He delivered the keynote address at the 2017 winter commencement and helped lead the Class of 1974 50th Reunion Campaign Committee.
One of Williams’ mentees, Jamel Lynch ’94, now a successful engineer and entrepreneur, attended COW in 1989. “Gene Williams is the epitome of a VMI alumnus: Highly capable, intensely purposeful, and resolutely honorable,” said Lynch. “He also cares deeply and genuinely about every one of the hundreds of young men who have been associated with COW. He absolutely deserves this award.
John P. Williams ’88, VMI Foundation president, added, “Gene was a standout football player and an outstanding cadet who went on to enjoy a remarkable professional career. But what truly sets him apart is his lifelong dedication to service. His leadership of COW has changed lives and strengthened VMI’s legacy of service. It will be an honor to present him with the Distinguished Service Award.”
The communications officer supports the strategy for all communications, including web content, public relations messages and collateral pieces in order to articulate and promote the mission of the VMI Alumni Agencies and promote philanthropy among varied constituencies.
