Bellarmine University “knighted” Stephen A. Williams at the university’s annual Knight of Knights black-tie dinner and dance celebration on Saturday, Oct. 13. The honor has been bestowed upon an individual since 1998 in recognition of outstanding support and service to Bellarmine University.
At this year’s ceremony, Bellarmine President Dr. Joseph J. McGowan “knighted” Williams using a sword called Ex Calibur and dubbed him Sir Stephen of Lola.
Williams, president and chief executive officer for Norton Healthcare, has been with Norton since 1977 and has served as president/CEO since 1993. A native of Lola, in western Kentucky, Williams has the unique distinction of having served as CEO of Kentucky's smallest hospital at the time (Livingston County, 26 beds, 1972-77, at age 22) and now serving as CEO of Kentucky's largest health care system.
The evening’s theme—A Knight in the Country—paid homage to Williams’ rural roots. To carry out the theme, Bellarmine converted an indoor tennis facility into a ballroom and greeting area designed to resemble Lola, Ky. A wood-carving artist and a bluegrass band welcomed guests, and during dinner the guests of honor ate on the front porch of a country estate. The knighting ceremony also was held on the front porch.
Past Bellarmine Knights include: Owsley Brown Frazier (1998), the late Monsignor Alfred F. Horrigan (1999), Nolen Allen (2001), James A. Patterson (2002), Bill Samuels (2003), Dr. Allan Lansing (2004), C. Edward Glasscock (2005), and Joseph P. Clayton (2006). A “knighting” was not held in 2000 so that Bellarmine could celebrate its 50th anniversary.