Joel Williams

I grew up in a Presbyterian Church and accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 10 years old. I was very involved with church in middle school (thanks to a great youth pastor) but became "disconnected" during my high school and college years. I met my wife, Leslie, when I was a senior in college and, well, she was instrumental in helping me get "back on track". We have been married for 15 years now and have 3 children ages 4 (Hannah Kate), 6 (Maura), and 9 (Evan). We are very involved in our church, Concord Baptist, in Anderson, SC. I am a deacon and co-teach a married couple's Sunday School class and Leslie is an AWANA teacher and helps with Good News Club at a local school. I ask God to give me opportunities to share my faith with students and to pray with them - and He continues to do so.

My Life

Favorite Quote

"Always give without remembering and receive without forgetting"

Friends describe me

as caring loyal dependable hardworking

My hobbies

Time with family camping/hiking martial arts

Fantasy dinner guests

All of the members of The Avett Brothers (band): Scott, Seth, Bob & Joe

Best advice I ever received

From my master's advisor, Dr. Roger Sargent: "Whatever intelligence shortcomings you think you have will be nullified by your work ethic".

My worst subject in school

Chemistry

In college I drove

a 1988 Chevy S-10.

If I weren't a professor, I would

be a chef or a cook

Favorite city

Charleston, SC

Favorite coffee

from Costa Rica

My latest accomplishment

I was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor in 2012

Current Research

See: http://www.clemson.edu/hehd/departments/public-health/dphs-directory/williams-bio.html