To the editor:

The purpose of this letter is to point out the many contributions former Kansas University Alumni Association President Fred Williams has made to the alumni relations profession. Fred has been a mentor to numerous executive directors across the country and has been a leader in the Council of Alumni Association Executives.

The Alumni Association has become a model for other associations to emulate. I have taken the liberty, as many of my colleagues have, of copying programs of the Alumni Association and implementing them at the University of Florida, Gainesville, especially those related to the very successful KU membership program.

During my 26 years as the executive director at Florida, I have observed Fred as a very passionate spokesperson for his institution. He has spent long hours away from his family attending programs and events to benefit KU. We all appreciate the wonderful volunteers associated with our institutions and the need to make sure they understand what is required to have a nationally recognized alumni organization. Unfortunately, there are some of our volunteers who don’t see the complete picture.

Fred Williams is admired and respected by his peers and colleagues, those who fully understand the requirements to be successful in this profession. I sincerely hope the alumni of KU and citizens of Lawrence remember the many contributions he has made to their fine university and the community; he is deserving of a better fate than has been dealt.

Wayne McDaniel,

Gainesville, Fla.