Meet Our Donors
Mary Lou Williamson
Mary Lou Williamson was born in Niles, Ohio (between Youngstown and Warren), flat country uninteresting country. She went to public school. Her father was an engineer at GE. They moved to Bryn Athyn where he took a job with the Budd Company until 1946 when he left Budd to work at the Civic and Social Club. Her mother worked at the JD. Mary Lou helped out there often. They lived on Alden Road, next to the Club house.
Mary Lou spent five years at Bryn Athyn College, graduating in 1950. She had the opportunity to teach kindergarten in Glenview, Illinois. She said "they opened their arms out and took me in. It was a marvelous experience."
After working in Glenview for 3 years, she came to Bryn Athyn and taught kindergarten for 13 years and then taught in the Girls' School. During this time she directed numerous high school and college plays. She also directed the Christmas Tableau.
She talked at length about the joy (and stress) of directing the many plays. She mentioned the names of the students in the plays with true affection, reminiscing about that special time in her life.
She said she knew so little about the church growing up, and didn't have the background. But," she said, "the Church became something very special in my life. I was very lucky. Over the years," she said, "the Church encouraged me to use my talents. I didn't have all the degrees, but they saw something in me, and that was enough." She finished with "and they left me alone! I did my thing." Her "thing" created generations of beloved student relationships. And now Mary Lou is giving back. In addition to her regular support of the Church, she created a Charitable Gift Annuity for the Academy, and she has put two special bequests into her will to support the College and its theatrical productions. This amazing lady continues to give to her students and future generations of students. Thanks for doing your thing!