'Officer Mo' says farewell to university

After nearly 17 years with the public safety department, Williams will be leaving his position at The U of M and in honor of his service, The U of M will hold a reception in the Faulkner Lounge of the UC today from 2-4 p.m.

Williams first arrived at The U of M in 1985 from the University of Chattanooga. In 1990, the University received its very own law enforcement department and since 1992, Williams has been performing crime awareness education on campus. For the past four years, he has produced the award ceremonies for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Program.

During the 2002 MLK Human Rights awards ceremony on Thursday, Dr. Shirley Raines, U of M president, commended Officer Mo on a job well done.

“In addition to being a mainstay in the public service office for public safety for more than 16 years, Williams has been a guiding force behind these awards programs since 1998,” Raines said.

In 1995, Williams received the prestigious Dr. Martin Luther King Human Rights award. He considers that moment to be his most memorable moment at The U of M.

“That’s probably the most important and the most precious thing I have received since being here,” Williams said.

Williams is also very proud to have witnessed the achievements that The U of M has made concerning public safety over the last 17 years.

“I’m very happy to have been involved in many great things during my time,” Williams said.

Before Officer Mo said his final farewells to The U of M, he offered helpful advice to the faculty and students.

“My advice to my family, The U of M, is that I want everybody to remember to stay focused and to remember that diversity is our strength,” Williams said.

He also believes that the responsibility of safety on campus belongs to everyone at The U of M.

“Safety is everybody’s responsibility,” Williams said. “If they can do that, then I will know that everything will be okay at this institution.”