University of Nebraska Medical Center has announced a $20 million estate gift from alumnus Joe Williams (’50) in support of the UNMC College of Pharmacy.

The bequest includes $7.5 million to establish the Joseph D. and Millie E. Williams Pharmacy Endowment Fund, which will provide more than $300,000 annually in distributions, with initial funding to augment student scholarships; $5 million to establish the Joseph D. and Millie E. Williams Endowment Matching Fund, which will be used to match commitments from future donors to establish endowments that support students, faculty, and programs in the college; $5 million to establish the Joseph D. Williams Endowed Deanship Fund; and $2.5 million to help with expenses for the construction and ongoing maintenance of the Center for Drug Discovery. Starting next fall, pharmacy students will begin receiving Williams Scholarships in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.

Williams, who died in March 2021, worked in his grandfather’s Pawnee City, Nebraska, pharmacy as a child, served in the Navy in World War II, and graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1950. A longtime supporter of the university, Williams served as chair and CEO of Warner-Lambert.

“When we recruit future leaders and share that they will be recognized with a named endowed position, they know that our academic medical center is serious about leading the world to create a healthier future, as our mission says,” said UNMC chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold. “This named and endowed deanship is a clear statement that we have the community, and leaders like Joe Williams, behind us.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Sanjeri)