The Physics department is pleased to announce that Reynolds Professor Emeritus Richard Williams is the inaugural winner of the annual  Physics Department Outstanding Alumni Award.  The department solicits nominations from alumni and a committee selects the winner.    Dr. Williams will accept the award at a special physics colloquium in Spring 2018.  Dr. Williams retired earlier this year after 31 years of service as a Reynolds professor.  It is fitting that Dr. Williams will be our first winner of the Alumni award; Prof. Williams was the first Speas Award recipient for distinguished work in physics (our highest undergraduate award), he mentored the first Physics PhD graduate, and was the first endowed professor within the Department. Professor Williams, an international expert in scintillators and ultrafast laser spectroscopy, has helped to significantly increase the reputation and visibility of the Physics Department.