CORRECTION APPENDED (SEE BOTTOM): Thompson "Tony" Williams Jr., a former director of the Transitional Year Program and a University administrator for over 30 years, died from lung cancer last Wednesday. He was 68.

Williams arrived at Brandeis in 1969 as the assistant dean of students. He held a number of positions at the University until 1978, when he became director of the TYP, a program geared toward acclimating students who, as a result of a disadvantaged youth, are ill-prepared to enter a university environment immediately after high school.

"He provided really close guidance, support and mentoring of students," said Erika Smith, the current TYP head who replaced Williams in 2004.

TYP alumni "credit him with their success," Smith said, adding that some alumni are hoping to start a scholarship fund in Williams' honor. "He was one who wanted students to be open to being changed by their interactions with the academy," she said.

Current and former administrators described Williams as a dedicated administrator who fought hard for the welfare of students.

Alwina Bennett, assistant provost for graduate student affairs, said Williams was "sort of a fixture here" when Bennett began working at Brandeis in 1983. She said he loved to tell stories about the history of the University and the involvement of minority students in campus life.

"He was committed to access of education to students, and I think knew every student of color on campus over a 25-year period," she said. "Students would talk about Mr. Williams with awe in their voice."

John Hose, executive assistant to the president, recalled often eating lunch with Williams at the Faculty Club. "He was very student-oriented, very sincere about the work that he did, particularly the TYP program and what it meant to so many students who went through the program," he said.

David Gould, who worked as dean of admissions from 1975 until 2001, said he always enjoyed his encounters with Williams.

"He had two things in life that he absolutely loved. One was fly fishing and one was jazz piano. He was a master of both," Gould said.

A memorial service will take place Sunday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. in the International Lounge of the Usdan Student Center.

Corrections: The article incorrectly called the Transitional Year Program the Transition Year Program. The article also incorrectly said that Williams was the founding director of TYP.