Freeman Williams named UD trustee

Article by UDaily staff May 16, 2022

Alumnus, educator appointed by Gov. John Carney

Freeman L. Williams of Newark, a respected educator and University of Delaware alumnus, has been appointed to a six-year term on the University’s Board of Trustees by Delaware Gov. John Carney.

Williams has had more than 40 years of experience in education leadership at all levels. In 2016, he retired as superintendent of the Christina School District, where he held a variety of administrative posts. Earlier in his career, he held positions in the Appoquinimink School District and the Prince William County School District in Manassas, Virginia.

Freeman L. Williams

Active in the community, he serves as president of the board for Neighborhood House, which provides counseling, early childhood education and mean services. He is president of the Newark chapter of the NAACP and vice president of the State of Delaware NAACP. A board member of the Newark Partnership, he serves on the University of Delaware Dean of Education Advisory Committee and the State of Delaware Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in curriculum development and a doctorate in educational leadership, all from the University of Delaware. While an undergraduate, he was a basketball player during the 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons.

Williams grew up in the School Hill area of Newark, the historic African American community that borders New London Road and Cleveland Avenue, and he now serves on the board of the Friends of School Hill.

The University’s Board of Trustees includes 28 members, eight of whom are appointed by the governor and approved by the Delaware Senate. The other 20 members are elected by a majority of the whole board. Also serving on the board in an ex officio capacity are the governor, the University president, the master of the State Grange and the president of the State Board of Education.