The Robert J. Williams, Sr. Library Collection in Theology and Science was established in 1999 by the children of Robert J. “Bud” (’49) Williams, as a Christmas gift to him. “Bud” (’49) served on the Hesburgh Libraries Advisory Council from 1984-2010. He is chairman of the board of Cadillac Products Inc. Bud and his late wife, Margaret Kennedy (SMC '49), had six children; two are Notre Dame graduates: Robert Jr. (’74) and Claire (’88). A grandson, Robert J., III, graduated with the Class of 2013.

The Endowment will support collections in theology and science. The Libraries theology collection includes books like the Dead Sea Scrolls electronic library, Eighteenth Century Collections online, and Hathi Trust digital library. In research materials, the theology collection contains necessary materials such as Renaissance and Reformation - Oxford Bibliographies, The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, a database of Latin dictionaries, and also directories, encyclopedias, and news sources such as the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning. Science collections in the Libraries include vital resources necessary to support students, faculty, and researchers in making cutting-edge discoveries with global impact.

Half of this endowment helps support the purchase of materials for the theology collection and the other half focuses on library support for the sciences. Also under the family name is the Michael P. and Lyle C. Williams Library Collection in Ethics in Business and Society, established by Bud in memory of his parents. Bud and his wife, Demie, are members of the Badin Guild. Bud and his family have also funded the Robert J. Williams Sr. MBA Fellowship.