Williams receives OPAL Award for his dedication to education

Dr. Van Williams, provost and dean of Student Services at the Boca Raton campus, has received a 2026 Outstanding People and Leaders (OPAL) Award from the Rotary Club of Boca Raton.

Williams was given the award in the Champion for Education category at the 28th Annual OPAL Awards on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Boca West Country Club.

Williams was honored along with Abby Bernstein-Henderson and Steven Bernstein (Legacy of Giving), Michelle Hagerty (Agent of Impact), Haley and Brad Winstead (Philanthropic Power Couple), and Myron Yudkin (Rotarian Lifetime Legacy Award).

Growing up in Savannah, Ga., Williams learned early the value of teamwork, discipline and drive. From 1975 to 1982, he spent countless hours at the Frank Callen Boys Club, sharpening his skills in football, basketball, and baseball. Inspired by his older brother, Graylin Dunbar—a standout student and all-city quarterback—Williams dreamed of following in his brother’s footsteps as both an athlete and a leader.

At Jenkins High School, he was a true multi-sport athlete. He played football, basketball, and ran track, even anchoring the 4x400 relay team that made it to the state meet. But it was baseball where he found his calling.  

After high school, Williams earned a baseball scholarship to Florida A&M University. When that opportunity didn’t quite fit, he returned home, enrolled at Savannah State, and walked on to the baseball team. His determination paid off—he earned a scholarship and, in 1988, led the nation in stolen bases while batting an incredible .507.

That discipline and drive became the foundation of everything he’s done since. Williams went on to serve honorably in the United States Army as a noncommissioned officer and Military Police Investigator. He was selected for the Department of Defense’s Personnel Reliability Program—an honor reserved for those entrusted with the nation’s most sensitive responsibilities. He also earned the Army Achievement Medal for his service during a critical nuclear retrograde mission.

“Today, Williams still leads with that same commitment to discipline and purpose. As provost and dean of Student Services at Palm Beach State College’s Boca Raton campus, he empowers students to rise above challenges and reach their potential,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D., who introduced Williams at the awards ceremony.  

Early in his higher education career, he was an adjunct professor at Central Texas University; program specialist at Savannah State University; a director of Upward Bound at Florida State University, and an assistant Professor and Director of Upward Bound at Florida A & M University.

His leadership is rooted in compassion, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the power of education.

Williams also serves on the Boards of Directors for:  

•             West Boca Medical Center

•             Palm Beach County Urban League  

•             George M. Snow Scholarship Fund  

•             Best Foot Forward Foundation, and

•             The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce  

He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Saint Andrew’s School, Boca Raton.

Williams is an avid golfer who recently won the 2025 Literacy Links Golf Tournament held in Palm Beach County as part of Palm Beach State College’s men’s foursome. And through his work with the Best Foot Forward Foundation, he continues to champion the success of foster and at-risk youth. In 2024, he was honored as the foundation’s Champion of Children—a recognition of his tireless advocacy and heart for service.

Williams is also a lifelong learner. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University, a master’s in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. Leadership and Innovation in Higher Education from St. Thomas University.

“Across every chapter of his life—athletics, military service, higher education, and community leadership—Van has lived the values that define the Rotary Club of Boca Raton: improving lives, building community, and empowering others through service,” said Parker.

For more than 27 years, the OPAL Awards have celebrated those whose dedication to philanthropy and volunteerism has profoundly shaped the way we live, work, play, and learn.

Proceeds from the OPAL Awards support the Rotary Club of Boca Raton's Scholarship Programs, developed in partnership with Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College.