November 21, 2022
By Ashley Ritchie

Darryl Williams, a building coordinator in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded the College of Engineering Staff Culture Advisory Council (COESCAC) Culture Champion Award for striving to build a better culture in the School and in the College.

“Darryl goes the extra mile in just about everything he does; this in turn encourages his colleagues to follow suit,” said Devesh Ranjan, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair. “He is a great example for creating a culture of respect, trust, and collaboration.”

The COESCAC Culture Champion Award was given to a staff member from each School at the Georgia Tech College of Engineering (CoE) Staff Engagement Day event, held November 17, 2022, at the John Lewis Student Center. Recipients of the award are advocates for a positive and productive culture and inspire others to promote a culture of inclusivity and acceptance.

An excerpt from Williams’ nomination letter reads, “Darryl has an infectious personality that draws people to him. He gets to know the staff, students, and faculty and builds relationships by finding common ground. Because he is open and cares about people, his contributions to the culture of our School are immeasurable.”

Williams has been a part of the Woodruff School’s facilities team for the last seven years. He also serves on the Staff Advisory & Activities Council. In this role, he helps plan activities that bring the Woodruff School community together. Earlier this year, he helped plan a game day event, Family Feud, and was instrumental in recruiting students, faculty, and staff to play in the Woodruff Games. The Woodruff Games is a new annual tradition that supports one of the six focus areas in Georgia Tech’s Strategic Plan, Cultivate Well-Being. Williams helped with the logistics of the event and participated in every game.

In addition, Williams serves as a supervisor to Cristo Rey student Aron Bekele, who works with the Woodruff School’s facilities team as part of a work study program that gives students a glimpse of campus life as they work in an office setting. Williams works with Bekele every Friday, sharing his time, knowledge, and team-oriented and collaborative spirit.  

As part of the COESCAC Culture Champion Award, Williams received a certificate and a desk plaque. He will also have his name added to a wall plaque in the Woodruff School. 

The College of Engineering’s Staff Culture Advisory Council (COESCAC) serves the College by advocating for the staff and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in its culture. COESCAC will partner with college staff to build and foster a community that is adaptive, creative, empowering, ethical, and innovative.