As a music major performing at a Columbia commencement ceremony in the early ’70s, Albert “Bill” Williams listened to then-president Mirron “Mike” Alexandroff address the 800 or so in attendance. “I sat there and thought, the president of this college is hipper and more radical than the students,” says Williams. “I was so happy to be here.”

He still is. Williams, who graduated in 1973 and has taught at Columbia since 1985, is the first faculty/staff donor to the Alexandroff Legacy Society—a new giving society established to honor Alexandroff’s vision and recognize individuals who choose to remember the college in their estate plans.

“When I heard about the Alexandroff Legacy Society, I thought, this is great!” says Williams. “I wanted to do this for Mike, for his family, and for the college and the students. I’ve always considered the college my other family. I don’t have heirs of my own, so I’m happy to make the students my heirs.”

Eric Winston, vice president of institutional advancement, says he hopes Williams’ donation acts as a launching pad for more individuals within the college community to become founding members of the society.

“I believe this is one of the single most important gifts we have received since I’ve been here,” says Winston, who came to the college two years ago. “It’s so important because it demonstrates the commitment of our faculty and staff—our own ‘family’—to what the college is doing to establish a viable fundraising program.”

Faculty, staff and others can make contributions to the society in a number of ways, including naming the college as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan, committing to an irrevocable or testamentary pledge, or adding the college in a will or living trust.

“I’m so impressed with the changes and the growth in the college in the past 10 years,” says Williams. “I’m also impressed by the extent to which the college has stayed true to Mike Alexandroff’s vision of a cutting-edge, culturally, economically, and educationally diverse college. Aside from serving as a crucial long-term fundraising project, I hope the Alexandroff Legacy Society helps keep Columbia rooted in Mike’s vision.”