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Former Canfield resident donates millions to old school
By kristine gill
A Canfield resident is responsible for one of the largest donations ever to University School in Cleveland.
The late James Williamson, a 1934 graduate, left $4.26 million for the school. Williamson was a Canfield resident before his death in 2009 at age 93.
University School is an independent school for boys in kindergarten through 12th grade with campuses in Hunting Valley and Shaker Heights.
Fiona Reilly, director of public relations with University School, said the money will go toward major renovations to the Hunting Valley campus. Renovations will go toward labs, art studios and seminar rooms.
“It’s a pretty significant renovation to really provide our teachers with some compelling teaching facilities,” Reilly said.
Williamson’s friend Bill Ginn of Chesterland said Williamson was a humble and bright man.
“The people who worked with him always considered him one of the truly brilliant people they knew,” Ginn said. “It was pretty well understood that Jim Williamson could figure out anything they needed.”
Williamson attended Yale for his undergraduate and master’s degrees in electrical engineering.
An inventor, engineer and software developer, Williamson worked for Ohio Crankshaft for 10 years before working for Magnethermic Corp. in Warren. That company is now Ajax Tocco Magnethermic, and Williamson bought the first computer for the company using his own money. He later wrote a computer program still in use by Ajax called Youngstown Version 16, or Y16.
“He always felt a sense of loyalty and gratitude, I think, for all the institutions that helped to educate him in his life, and University School was one of those,” Ginn said.