On Nov. 18, Williams will return for the world premiere of Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth, an adventurous new composition written specifically for Lawrence’s woodwind faculty. The performance marks another chapter in a relationship that has continued to grow long after his time as a student. 

For Williams, that relationship began almost entirely by chance. 

Growing up in Chicago, Williams imagined attending a large university. While waiting to speak with representatives from Harvard at a college fair, his mother wandered over to a table representing a small liberal arts college in Wisconsin. She encouraged him to take a closer look. 

“I really loved the small campus and just the personable nature of everyone who I met,” Williams recalled. 

That unexpected introduction would set the course for a career that has taken his music around the world. 

Finding his voice at Lawrence 

Williams arrived at Lawrence intending to become a music educator, pursuing music education and trombone performance while studying composition on the side. Through the encouragement of faculty mentors and opportunities to explore different musical disciplines, he began to recognize his passion for composing. 

He credits faculty members including Joanne Metcalf, Asha Srinivasan, and former Director of Bands Andrew Mast with helping him develop his musical voice. 

“They supported me every step of the way, even when I had like really crazy ideas,” Williams said. 

Williams participated in nearly every ensemble he could, from wind ensemble and symphonic band to jazz, orchestra, and choir. Through the McNair Scholars Program, he also discovered a passion for teaching that helped him envision a future as both a composer and professor. 

After Lawrence, Williams pursued graduate studies at Bowling Green State University and earned his doctorate at the University of Cincinnati. His music has since been performed by renowned ensembles, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Yet throughout those accomplishments, Lawrence has remained a constant. 

A connection that keeps bringing him home 

Williams has returned to Lawrence in several capacities, including a faculty appointment and performances of his original compositions. In 2024, he composed a work for wind ensemble and organ celebrating the Conservatory of Music’s 150th anniversary, an experience he considers a career highlight. 

His continued connection to Lawrence is rooted as much in its people as its music. 

“A lot of the first people who supported my music were people I went to Lawrence with,” Williams said. “And the fact that Lawrence keeps bringing me back is just so, so great because they have really supported my career.” 

Now, he welcomes opportunities to extend that same support to current students, offering guidance, sharing connections, and encouraging young musicians to explore their own paths. 

A new sound for a familiar stage 

His latest collaboration began with a message from Lawrence clarinet professor Andy Hudson, who shared that the woodwind faculty wanted Williams to compose a concerto grosso, a work featuring multiple soloists. 

The invitation immediately captured Williams’ imagination. He had never written a concerto for more than two soloists, much less one combining a woodwind quintet with an entire wind ensemble. 

Around that same time, a student introduced Williams to progressive metal after recognizing similarities between his compositional style and the genre. Williams began exploring bands including Haken and Animals as Leaders, finding inspiration in their complex rhythms and dramatic sounds. 

The result is Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth, a composition that brings the intensity of progressive metal into the concert hall. 

The piece calls on musicians to employ unconventional techniques that mimic wailing voices and grinding teeth. Woodwind players will use vocal effects and tongue clicks, while powerful percussion and instrumental textures evoke the sounds of electric guitars. 

The world premiere will feature the ����vlog Wind Ensemble, directed by Ceon D. Rumphs, with Conservatory faculty soloists Erin Lesser on flute, Andrea Hixon on oboe, Andy Hudson on clarinet, Joseph Connor on saxophone, and Brigit Pacher on bassoon. 

The Nov. 18 program will also feature Williams’ Lux Aeterna, performed by the ����vlog Symphonic Band with Williams serving as guest conductor. 

Still finding inspiration at Lawrence 

For Williams, the upcoming premiere represents the chance to try something entirely new in the same environment that first encouraged him to push creative boundaries. 

“Lawrence was a place that really encouraged me to experiment a lot,” he said. “My teachers were always pushing me to try new things in my music and not to stay stagnant and be comfortable.” 

That encouragement extended beyond music. Williams remembers exploring government, science, mathematics, and other liberal arts disciplines, discovering unexpected connections that continue to influence his compositions today. 

Nearly 15 years after graduating, he still finds himself inspired by the place where his musical journey took flight. 

“Lawrence is still encouraging me to experiment with my music and try new things,” Williams said. “And so to try this new thing and bring it back to the Lawrence stage, that’s actually really special to me.” 

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As the physical campus has evolved and grown over the years, Lawrence’s mission has remained steadfast: to provide students with a liberal arts education that prepares them not only to face challenges but to conquer them and light more light in the world. Giving Day served as a powerful reminder that support for that mission extends far beyond campus and continues to be championed by Lawrentians across the globe—as Lawrentians everywhere help carry its mission forward.

A Little Lawrence Love Goes a Long Way

Giving Day donations arrived from 45 states, demonstrating the broad reach and enduring strength of the Lawrence community and showing that meaningful support extends far beyond campus. The Lawrentian community stretched well beyond U.S. borders, with gifts arriving from Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Ghana.

Whether located in Appleton or halfway around the world, Lawrentians continued to demonstrate their connection to Lawrence, its mission, and one another. Each gift reflected a shared commitment to supporting students and strengthening the community. Every contribution highlighting that the Lawrence experience extends beyond campus and unites generations of Lawrentians through a shared sense of purpose.

Class Spirit on Full Display

Giving Day also provided an opportunity for Lawrentians to celebrate their class pride, and several class years answered the call in impressive fashion.

The Class of 1978 led the way with 40 donors, followed by the Class of 1972 with 38 and the Class of 1973 with 36 donors, a testament to the lasting bond many alumni maintain with Lawrence.

Generosity took many forms throughout the day. The Class of 1970 delivered one of the most notable efforts, with 33 donors contributing a combined $44,225. The results underscored the impact a dedicated group of Lawrentians can have when rallying behind a common cause.

Together, alumni from across generations demonstrated the enduring spirit and commitment that continues to define the Lawrence community.

Students Brought the Energy

Giving Day was not limited to online giving. Throughout the day, students participated in activities and challenges designed to unlock additional support while celebrating the Lawrence experience.

The festivities began with Plinko Trivia, which drew enthusiastic participation and helped set an energetic tone for the day.

Candy Grams outside Andrew Commons proved especially popular as students wrote messages of encouragement and appreciation to fellow students as well as faculty and staff members. The activity served as a reminder that generosity can be expressed in many ways, including simple acts of kindness.

Students also embraced the opportunity to record video thank-you messages, sharing reflections on the campus resources, programs, and experiences made possible in part through donor generosity. Their voices provide a meaningful reminder of the lasting impact philanthropy has on the student experience.

Together, the activities brought Giving Day to life on campus, connecting donor support with the everyday experiences that make Lawrence distinctive.

Spreading the Word, Sharing the Spirit

Giving Day advocates played an important role in extending the celebration, generating 181 clicks and 28 gifts through their outreach efforts. every shared post, conversation, and personal invitation helped expand awareness and encourage participation.

The success of Giving Day also reflected the efforts of numerous volunteers and supporters who dedicated their time and energy throughout the day. From assisting with campus activities to encouraging participation and sharing enthusiasm for Lawrence, their contributions helped create a memorable experience for the entire community.

Thank You, Lawrentians

Lawrentians came together in remarkable fashion for the university’s 13th annual Giving Day. Together, 1,719 donors raised $2,037,556 for the Lawrence Fund, surpassing our $2 million goal.

From students energizing campus activities to alumni sharing Lawrence memories and vintage memorabilia, Giving Day highlighted the many ways the Lawrence community remains connected through a shared commitment to the university and its students.

While Giving Day lasts just 24 hours, its impact extends far beyond a single day. Every gift, every shared memory, every kind message, and every act of volunteerism strengthens the people, programs, and experiences that define ����vlog and make it incredibly special.

The generosity of alumni, parents, students, friends, faculty, staff, advocates, and volunteers made this year’s Giving Day success possible. Their support helps ensure that future generations of Lawrentians can discover new passions, tackle significant challenges, and go on to light more light in the world.

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The celebration reflected a collaborative effort across campus. Carter Robinson, Lawrence’s director of community values, engagement and sustainability, helped organize the event alongside students involved in Earth Fest as part of a collaborative effort to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The event featured a keynote address by Jud Gauthier, Indigenous Studies Scholar in Residence; a powwow dance performance by dancers from the Oneida Nation; pizza; and cultural displays that encouraged attendees to engage with Indigenous traditions and perspectives.

Gauthier spoke about the deep historical and cultural connections between Wisconsin and the Indigenous nations that have called the region home for generations. Reflecting on the significance of recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, he emphasized the enduring presence and influence of Native communities throughout the state.

“The history of the region here is so tied into Menominee culture and Oneida and Stockbridge, Ho-Chunk, and all the other nations that are around,” Gauthier said.

The annual celebration serves as an opportunity for the Lawrence community to learn about and recognize Indigenous cultures while reflecting on the university’s connection to the lands on which its campuses are located. Through education, storytelling, and community gathering, the event highlights the importance of honoring both the history and continuing contributions of Indigenous peoples.

In recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Lawrence also reaffirmed its land acknowledgment:

����vlog’s Appleton and Door County campuses are located on the ancestral homelands of the Menominee and Ho-Chunk peoples. Today, 11 federally recognized Native American sovereign nations are located in Wisconsin. We acknowledge these Indigenous communities, who have stewarded this land throughout generations, and pay respect to their elders, past and present.

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This year, Lawrence welcomed 391 incoming students, 346 first-year, 29 transfer, and 16 international students to campus. The new students are from more than 37 states and 10 countries.

Carter framed the annual ceremony as an opportunity to reflect on a fundamental question: “Who are we, together?”

Throughout the address, she returned repeatedly to the idea that community is not defined by geography or circumstances, but by the choices people make to support, learn from, and care for one another.

“Community is neither simple nor automatic,” Carter said. “Community is something deeper: it is a commitment. It is a relationship. It is a responsibility.”

Drawing on the work of philosopher and educator John Dewey, Carter said community is created through interaction and communication. She pointed to both moments of loss and moments of celebration over the past year as examples of how the Lawrence community has demonstrated its strength.

She referenced the deaths of Professors Garth Bond and Danielle Joyner and alumnus Alex Stanger ’25, noting that community is revealed not only in grief but in the ways people honor and extend the impact of those who have been lost.

“Community transforms loss into purpose, remembrance into action, and individual lives into lasting legacies that continue to shape those who follow,” Carter said.

As one example, she highlighted the recent creation of the Art History Travel Fund by Dale Schuh ’70 and his wife, Annette, in honor of Joyner. The fund will support student learning opportunities while preserving Joyner’s legacy.

Carter also pointed to milestones that reflect Lawrence’s future, including the naming of Hall Commons in honor of Susan Long Hall ’76 and her family, and plans for The Hub, the university’s new wellness, recreation, and creative arts facility in downtown Appleton.

“Communities are built only through shared purpose, mutual care, and collective effort,” she said.

Lessons from Beyond Campus
Carter shared a personal story about helping organize a family reunion in her hometown, an experience that reinforced for her the evolving nature of community.

The reunion was originally scheduled to begin at an American Legion Post established in 1947 by Calvin J. Spann, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. The post was created at a time when many Black veterans lacked welcoming places to gather and find support.

Weeks before the event, however, an SUV crashed into the building, causing significant damage and forcing her family to find another location.

A neighboring American Legion Post immediately agreed to host the gathering.

For Carter and her family, the gesture carried special significance because the welcoming post represented a place that decades earlier would not have accepted African American veterans.

“We were reminded that communities are not fixed. They evolve,” Carter said. “Walls that once divided people can come down.”

She added that a strong community grows when more people can see themselves within it.

“A community is strongest when more people can say, ‘This place belongs to me, too,’” Carter said.

Community Revealed in Times of Challenge
A second lesson in community emerged closer to home when a tornado struck the Fox Cities region this summer.

While Lawrence’s campus avoided the most severe damage, neighboring communities, including Menasha and Doty Island, experienced significant destruction.

Carter praised the response that followed, including volunteers who assisted community members, those who helped displaced colleagues, and efforts to support Menasha High School after the storm.

“Across the Fox Cities, neighbors helped neighbors,” she said. “Strangers became partners. Communities became stronger by refusing to leave anyone behind.”

She also thanked Joe King, associate vice president for facilities, and his team for their work restoring the Lawrence campus following the storm.

Among the losses was a beloved tree on Main Hall Green that suffered irreparable damage. Carter said the university has worked to preserve portions of the tree for future educational and campus uses, including potential teaching and research projects.

Its legacy, she said, serves as a reminder that community is connected not only to people, but also to the places and traditions that help define an institution.

“Community is not measured during moments of comfort,” Carter said. “Community reveals itself during moments of challenge.”

The Liberal Arts and Responsibility to Others
Carter connected the theme of community to Lawrence’s educational mission, describing the liberal arts as more than a collection of academic disciplines.

“The liberal arts are not simply a collection of disciplines,” she said. “They are a way of understanding human relationships and human possibility.”

While higher education is often discussed in terms of careers and professional outcomes, Carter encouraged students to consider a broader question.

“What obligations do I have to others?” she asked.

That question, she said, lies at the heart of both a liberal arts education and civic engagement.

The liberal arts prepare students not only for employment but also for citizenship, leadership, and participation in communities. Universities, she said, play an important role in helping people build connections across differences and learn to engage productively with perspectives unlike their own.

“A healthy community does not eliminate differences,” Carter said. “It creates the conditions for differences to coexist productively.”

Celebrating Achievement
Carter also highlighted accomplishments from across the Lawrence community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Among those recognized were Erin Lesser, who was named the Kimberly-Clark Professor of Music; Graham Sazama, who received a National Science Foundation Research in Undergraduate Institutions grant; and Emma Snyder, managing director of the Business & Entrepreneurship Center, who was honored as a Future 15 recipient by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

She also pointed to the accomplishments of students and recent alumni, including Yenching Fellow Cao Le Quynh Anh ’26, Fulbright recipients Kaitlin Buelow ’26 and Jude Lawler ’26, and bluegrass musicians Tashi Litch ’24, Evan Snoey ’23, and Ben Lewis ’25, who took first place in the Telluride Bluegrass Band Contest.

While the achievements reflected individual excellence, Carter emphasized that none occurred in isolation.

She said those accomplishments reflected the support of faculty, staff, mentors, classmates, family members, and friends who helped make them possible.

“Achievement may be recognized individually,” she said. “But it is almost always nurtured collectively.”

Looking ahead
As Lawrence approaches its 180th anniversary in 2027, Carter called on students, faculty, and staff to view themselves as stewards of an institution built and sustained across generations.

She pointed to several initiatives that will help shape Lawrence’s future, including the opening of The Hub, the completion of the Memorial Chapel façade restoration, implementation of the new Liberal Arts Requirements, and the launch of Lawrence Compass, a student-success ecosystem that will unify advising, academic support, and career development resources.

The Hub and Memorial Chapel, Carter said, represent complementary aspects of the university’s future.

“Memorial Chapel reminds us that community requires continuity,” she said. “The Hub reminds us that community requires innovation.”

Looking to the year ahead, Carter encouraged students to seek experiences and relationships beyond their comfort zones.

“Follow your curiosity into spaces and experiences that feel unfamiliar,” she said. “Take a class that challenges your assumptions. Strike up a conversation with someone whose experiences differ from your own.”

She closed the address by reminding the Lawrence community that belonging is not something that simply exists. It is something that must be built and renewed through everyday actions.

“Community is not something we inherit fully formed,” Carter said. “It is something we create together.”

Quoting theologian Howard Thurman, Carter urged the audience to remain open to new people and perspectives, saying communities flourish when they welcome others into their midst.

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