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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
8/17/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES -John G. Williams, professor of business law at Northwestern State University College of Business, is the recipient of the university's 2006 Faculty Advisor Award. Williams, who is also an attorney, advises 80-100 business administration students throughout the academic year. He believes that caring and availability are the two most important aspects of being an academic advisor.
"A good advisor has to care about the students. An attitude that shows the student that you care goes a long way in helping that student be successful," Williams said. "Advising goes along with teaching and along with that goes availability. Make yourself available to your advisees and you and that advisee will be rewarded with success,"
Williams has been teaching at NSU for 35 years, and practicing law for 38 years. Many students considering a career in law seek his advice on ways to prepare for law school. He encourages students to learn good study habits, know how to write, analyze and express themselves and be prepared.
Williams began teaching "by accident," when he agreed to teach one semester of business law. Over the years, he taught more and more classes, including journalism law, as an adjunct before joining the NSU faculty full-time in 1992.
Williams, one of 14 nominees, is the first faculty member from the College of Business and the first man to receive the Faculty Advisor Award. Recipients are nominated by deans, department heads and other faculty and selected by a committee.
"Forty percent of students come to college under-prepared. Outstanding student advisors are essential to student retention and completion. Advising is the capstone of the university's Quality Enhancement Plan, so it is appropriate that the university recognize these dedicated individuals," said Dr. Sue Weaver, dean of University College.
"If you don't want to advise students, you need to be in another profession," Williams said. "I've been blessed to work with some of the finest people, NSU students. The best and most valuable resource this university has is its students and you need to treat them as such."