Arthur Sease Williams, a native of White Rock, South Carolina, graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1915 and M.S. in 1916.  After serving in World War I, Williams taught at several colleges and universities and attended New York University from which he earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1929.  His insatiable interest in chemistry and the environment led Williams to a position as the Chief Resident and Director of the Testing Lab at Protexol Corporation where he became an expert in wood impregnation with fireproofing agents, timber preservation, fire testing of building materials, and the protection of buildings from termite infestations.  In 1965 at the age of 71 he became the president of Insectrol, Inc.  Williams remembered the educational and cultural experiences at his alma mater as being central to his success as a scientist and businessman.

Previous lecturers:

Dr. F. Albert Cotton, Texas A & M University - 1996
Dr. Richard D. Adams, University of South Carolina - 1996
Dr. John M. Gladysz, Universität Erlangen-Nürnburg - 1999
Dr. Wolfgang A. Herrmann, Technical University of Munich - 1999
Dr. F.G.A. Stone, Baylor University - 1999
Dr. H.C. Achim Müller, University of Beilefeld, Germany - 2000
Sir John Meurig Thomas Cambridge University - 2007