Founder’s Day
Mischief-maker. Perpetual learner. Justice seeker. Founder of Trinity School. Allison Williams intrigues and impresses all who come in contact with him, for he embodies both gentleness and strength. Time spent in his presence results in feeling as though one has encountered wisdom personified. This passionate yet humble man has served Trinity School faithfully for 60 years.
When I came to Trinity School some time ago, I didn’t really know who Allison Williams was, though the gymnasium (AWAC) was named after him, and I had heard his name mentioned in conversations with people who had been at Trinity for a while. I will never forget meeting him for the first time. His eyes twinkled, and he grinned as he asked about how his grandson Mac was doing in my class. His nicknames for his grandchildren and his good-natured teasing of me immediately made me feel comfortable with this legendary man of Trinity Church and Trinity School. Over time, I have had the opportunity to get to know Allison Williams better and understand the depth and lightheartedness of this fine leader.
Playful and mischievous are not the adjectives that typically describe a pastor or leader, but Allison Williams is both. In the early days of Trinity School, he delighted in showing up unannounced in classrooms to declare no homework to the students – to the surprise of the teachers! He relished in opportunities to distribute balloons to youngsters, demonstrating how to make them squeak by blowing them up and releasing just enough air so that they would produce plenty of sound. I have learned that he also would throw lollipops out of his window to students below, much to the chagrin of teachers trying to keep order. He believed life should be fun, engaging, and should inspire the mind.
A perpetual learner, Allison finds life fascinating. He can easily discuss anything from politics to philosophy to science. His voracious appetite for learning has led him to books of all kinds over the years. He eagerly shared titles and articles with all he met. When he and I served on the Ethics Committee of the Board together, I would often find envelopes in my mailbox at school with articles pertaining to discussions at the committee meetings or ones that he thought I should read or would enjoy – always with a note attached. Years later when I served as Curriculum Coordinator, he would drop my office, slouch down in my chair, and pose questions one right after another about school, life, or my thoughts on an ethical topic. At first, it was intimidating. I wondered if it was a test and hoped I would pass! I soon realized that he desired to share life with everyone he met. He included me – just as he included everyone else he met.
A man of faith and justice, Allison Williams believes that questioning the status quo leads to deeper thinking and to making choices grounded on moral and ethical reasoning. He often would play devil’s advocate, seeking his listener to reconsider their thoughts and to justify their opinions. Challenging a position held firmly by others gave him an opportunity to teach. In 1961, he stood in the pulpit of Trinity Presbyterian Church and spoke about desegregation, challenging his white congregation to consider the church’s policies and beliefs. Ultimately, Trinity School was one of the first to admit an African American student, causing dissension within the church and the school. But he stood firm, knowing that justice was more important than pleasing parishioners. As always, Allison Williams stood for what was right and not what was popular.
How fitting it is that we celebrate Founder’s Day on February 27, the birthday of Allison Williams. His gifts to Trinity Church, to Trinity School, and to his friends have been abundant. He reminds us to stand for what is right, to enjoy life, and to be a life-long learner.
With appreciation to Ginny Perkinson for contributions to this article.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:28 PM
[...] 27, Trinity School will celebrate Founder’s Day and sixty years of child-centered education. Maryellen’s beautiful reflection in last Thursday’s TTW is a must-read. Her words about Allison Williams and the founding of Trinity School are [...]