On Tuesday, October 21, LCU hosted the “Don Williams: His Lasting Legacy Dinner & Celebration” in honor of Dr. E. Don “Doc” Williams, a Lubbock Christian University (LCU) icon.
Few individuals have shaped the story of LCU more profoundly than Dr. E. Don Williams—known affectionately as “Doc” to generations of students, colleagues, and friends. To pay tribute to his legacy and his continuing service to the university, LCU hosted the dinner, which included the dedication and naming of the E. Don “Doc” Williams Theatre in the C. L. Kay Christian Development Center (CDC) as a lasting testament to the impact he has had, and continues to have, on the university.
The dinner program was filled with stories from friends, colleagues, classmates, former students, and family, each sharing precious memories and profound moments in which Dr. Williams touched their lives. Randal Dement, Vice President of Student Life, presided as the Master of Ceremonies—a role which Dr. Williams himself has mastered over his long tenure at LCU.
Dr. Gary Estep, alongside whom Dr. Williams served as dean for many years, opened the evening with a prayer. Dr. Laurie Doyle, the Helen DeVitt Jones Endowed Chair of Fine Arts, reminisced about her time working with Williams for over four decades, a span over which they, together, produced over 80 theatrical productions and influenced countless lives.
Dave Yirak, Director of TEXAS Outdoor Musical with whom Dr. Williams worked for over a decade, was also a lifelong friend and former student. He told stories of building stage sets for Dr. June Bearden, another legend of LCU Theatre, and long trips to Dr. Williams’ hometown of Spur, Texas, before he turned to the TEXAS Outdoor Musical.
Tia Clary, Treasurer of the LCU Board of Trustees, recalled her time growing up around Dr. Williams as her mother served as administrative assistant to Dr. Williams and Dr. Estep long before she herself would attend LCU. Dr. L. Ken Jones, LCU’s Fifth President and current President of Oklahoma Christian University, returned to LCU specifically for this event, and lauded Dr. Williams as his all-time pick for “Mr. LCU,” recalling the profound respect and dedication that Dr. Williams had shown him during his 18-year tenure as the leader of LCU.
Finally, Dr. Williams’ own daughter, Kristi (Williams) Curtis, shared on behalf of the Williams family both their gratitude toward their patriarch, but also to the LCU community in which their lives have been so deeply steeped over the past half-century.
Dr. Scott McDowell, LCU’s Seventh President, made an official declaration on behalf of the university, recognizing Dr. Williams’ incredible legacy and impact on LCU. Then, finally, Dr. Williams himself, who continues to serve as a faculty member teaching communication classes, responded to the many stories, praises, and memories, emphasizing the value of friendships—appropriately demonstrated by the capacity crowd that filled the Baker Conference Center in his honor.
The evening concluded across campus in the CDC with the formal dedication of the newly-renovated Williams Theatre, and a blessing by Dr. Jesse Long, Jesse C. Long, Jr. Endowed Chair of Biblical Text, over Dr. Williams, his family, and LCU.
“Doc is a bridge across generations,” shared Dr. McDowell. “His impact on LCU is enduring, a legacy marked by creativity, consistency, and Christ-centered devotion.”
Keep an eye out for the full, expanded story on the Legacy of Dr. Williams in the next issue of Reflections, LCU’s digital magazine, releasing January 2026.