Dr. Donald R. Williams has been named dean of Kent State University’s Honors College, Provost Robert G. Frank announced this week.

Williams has served as interim dean of the college since the retirement of Dr. Larry Andrews in the fall. Andrews lead the Honors College for 14 years.

Prior to his position with the Honors College, Williams, who also holds the rank of professor of economics, served in numerous capacities at Kent State, including associate dean of the College of Business Administration, associate dean of the Graduate School of Management, director of the Ph.D. in Business Program and associate director for the Center for International and Comparative Programs. In addition to his administrative expertise in areas such as budget development and implementation and student recruitment and advising, Williams has taught a wide range of courses in the Department of Economics since coming to Kent State in 1983.

Williams also has been recognized by the Graduate Management Association as the MBA Teacher of the Year and has been inducted into Phi Beta Delta and Beta Gamma Sigma. In keeping with his dedication to the strength of the university as a whole, he has served on more than 20 university, college and department committees over the years.

Williams earned a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a doctorate in economics from Northwestern University. He resides in Kent with his wife and three children.