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A Professor and Dean
By Angelika Walker
WASP, advertisor, teacher, dean, mentor; these are only some of the roles Mary Ellen Williamson occupied during her lifetime. Joining the UNO faculty in 1969, teaching was actually Mary’s second career; earlier in life, Mary served her country as a WASP (Women’s Air Force Service Pilot) during the Second World War, and then went on to work in advertising and broadcast production in Kansas City, Missouri; Washington DC; St. Louis, Missouri; and Omaha, Nebraska. Her work in advertising and broadcasting eventually brought her to UNO as a professor in the Department of Communications, where she mentored countless students and impacted numerous lives. During her time at UNO, from 1969 to 2004, Mary served the University in a variety of positions, including Communications Professor, Interim Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Interim University Relations Director, and Consultant for the Nebraska Business Development Center.