‘True partners’ in excellence: Alumni couple pledges additional $500K to college

Continuing a record of significant support of their alma mater, Florida State University College of Business graduates Brian and Cortney Williams have pledged an additional $500,000 to strengthen student professional development in the college.  

Their latest philanthropic investment bolsters the Williams Family Endowed Student Success Fund, which the couple launched four years ago with an initial $150,000 gift. The fund provides crucial travel and professional development support to students majoring in finance.  

The Williamses, who met in their hometown of Ocala, Florida, and now live in Atlanta, both majored in finance at FSU. Brian graduated in 1997, one year ahead of Cortney. Both worked multiple jobs during college, Brian at Bill's Bookstore, as a valet at the Governors Club and an unpaid intern at Merrill Lynch, now named Merrill. Cortney worked as a teller at two banks and as a restaurant server in Tallahassee.

"Cortney and I both worked hard to get through Florida State,” said Brian, founder and CEO of Crown Asset Management, based in Duluth, Ga. “We understand the struggle for students who must balance both a rigorous academic and work schedule throughout college. We’ve been very fortunate in our professional lives, much of which we attribute to the education we received from the College of Business, and we want to give back and help the students as much as we can.” 

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A group of four people holding a sign
College of Business alumni Brian and Cortney Williams, seen here with son Rush, 18, and daughter Reagan, 16, have pledged an additional $500,000 to strengthen student professional development in the college. This is an especially exciting time for the family: Rush starts at FSU this month and plans to follow his parents to the College of Business and major in finance