“If We Can Give a Leg Up to Someone Who Really Wants to Make It, We Want to do That.”
Though both alumni of Aquinas College, Sue and Dennis Williams never crossed paths on campus. Their stories begin on opposite sides of the state. Dennis grew up right here in Grand Rapids, just blocks from his alma mater, attending St. Thomas The Apostle School then Catholic Central. Sue was born and raised in Detroit, attending Rosary High school.
Dennis was first to reach college age, but he’s also first to admit he was not a prime candidate for enrolling in post-secondary school. When he handed over his transcript to the registrar, the Sisters wondered if he’d make it to the following semester, let alone to earning a full degree. Still, he had managed to raise enough money with a little help from his generous uncle, a window washer who believed his nephew could make it to graduation, which he did in 1964.
Sue first toured Aquinas in 1971 a few years after Dennis had successfully walked at commencement and earned himself a degree. “It was beautiful,” she said. “The leaves were changing and everyone I passed said hello.” She was quickly convinced this would be her college campus.
The pair would finally come together when Dennis founded Williams Marketing Services in 1978. Dennis was all right brain, taking on roles as creative director, writer, and account executive throughout his career. Fate would bring Sue onto the team just a year after the company’s founding to round out the left brain part of the company as their accountant and first employee.
“We loved what we did,” said Sue, smiling as she remembered her days working alongside her husband. “We worked hard and we feel fortunate.”
They both retired from the company in 2002, but it’s still thriving. Williams Group, as it is now known, grew to 45 employees at its peak, delivering marketing and communications services to clients around the world.
In semi-retirement, Sue and Dennis found other ways to occupy their time and participate in their community. Sue serves on the Grand Rapids Diocesan school board and leads the strategic planning committee, where she assists 31 Catholic Elementary schools in charting their course to success.
Dennis is now an ordained permanent deacon in the church and is assigned to St. Thomas the Apostle parish. He served on the Aquinas Board of Trustees for nine years, and remains close to his friends from his days at Aquinas. The group of nine friends regularly golf and travel together.
Sue remains close to the college through the Dominican Sisters. Her college roommate, Sr. Barbara Reid joined the convent and went on to become President of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago as well as a member of the Board of Trustees at Aquinas. She treasures her relationships with the Dominican Sisters, whom she regards as a delightful group of prayerful women.
Dennis and Sue decided years ago that Catholic education from grade school through college would be the primary focus of their philanthropic efforts. They’ve provided generous donations to Aquinas scholarship funds throughout their lives, and also plan on dedicating part of their estate to supporting Aquinas and its students. In their minds, the institution just keeps getting better.
Sue explained the intention of the scholarship: “The three requirements we have of the scholarship include that students come from the state of Michigan, come out of a Catholic high school and have a financial need. We’re not saying they have to be the strongest academic students, because Denny is a good example of somebody who really came into his own while at Aquinas. The Sisters were willing to give him a break, and they did.”
“If we can give a leg up to someone who really wants to make it, we want to do that,” said Dennis. With a little help and support combined with hard work, all students can achieve their goals and go on to make big differences in their communities. Aquinas recognizes and thanks you for your generosity, Dennis and Sue Williams.