Penn State alumnus and former Alumni Association director Roger Williams was awarded with the Lion’s Paw Medal for his service and contributions to Penn State. He is the 53rd recipient of the award, joining a long list of award winners, which includes Joe and Sue Paterno.

Williams graduated from Penn State in 1973 with a degree in history. He earned his master’s degree in journalism and a doctorate degree in education from Penn State before coming on as the director of university relations from 1986 to 1995. Williams also served as associate vice president for communications at Georgetown University and associate vice chancellor for university relations at the University of Arkansas.

“Penn State is really my country,” Williams said in a release. “It means the world to me. It’s been a source of inspiration, support, fascination, and love since I was a child. Penn State has been in my blood from the pre-school years to this very day. I continue to stay involved to the extent possible and I will until I’m in my grave.”

William’s Penn State roots run deep — His father, who graduated from Penn State in 1948 after serving in World War II, took him to Penn State football games as a child. The Huntingdon, PA, native returned to Happy Valley to serve as the Alumni Association’s director from 2003 to his retirement in 2015. He’s written two books about the history of Penn State: “The Origins of Federal Support for Higher Education: George W. Atherton and the Land-Grant College Movement,” which was released in 1991, and a second book centered around Evan Pugh’s time as Penn State president, which will hit the shelves in March 2018.

Williams now works in an advisory role with Penn State’s Osher Life-Long Learning Institute and as an associate professor in the College of Education.

The Lion’s Paw Senior Society will present Williams with the award in May during the organization’s 110th reunion.