professor of classics Joanne Stubbe, professor of chemistry and winner of the 2020 Priestley Medal Barbara Takenaga, award-winning artist Mark Taylor, who studied with Jacques Derrida and taught religion classes at Williams before moving to Columbia University. Alan White (American philosopher), professor of philosophy William Wootters, theoretical physicist known for proving the no cloning theorem Alumni The Society of Alumni of Williams College is the oldest existing alumni society of any academic institution in the United States. The Society of Alumni was founded during the "Amherst crisis" in 1821, when Williams College President Zephaniah Swift Moore left Williams. Graduates of Williams formed the Society to ensure that Williams would not have to close, and raised enough money to ensure the future survival of the school. This fund formed by alumni served as the first college endowment in the United States, and as a result, Williams has maintained a legacy of high alumni involvement. There are 30,699 living alumni of record, and 69 regional alumni associations nationwide and overseas. Alumni participation in the 2018-19 Alumni Fund was 54.1%. More than 61% of the alumni from the classes of 1980 to 2000 have earned at least one graduate or professional degree. The most popular graduate disciplines for alumni are management, education, law, and health care. See also List of Williams College Bicentennial Medal winners List of Williams College people Taconic Golf Club The Biggest Little Game in America Williams-Mystic Williamstown Theatre Festival References External links 1793 establishments in Massachusetts Educational institutions established in 1793 Exeter College, Oxford Liberal arts colleges in Massachusetts Universities and colleges in Berkshire County, Massachusetts Williamstown, Massachusetts Private universities and colleges in Massachusetts