An Audrain County native is being honored by Lincoln University in Jefferson City by enshrining her into the school's hall of fame.

Drenda Williams grew up in Vandalia but has lived in Kansas City for the last three and half years in her role with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) where she serves as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) director of operations. 

Williams has become accustomed to receiving awards and recognition as a 29-year career employee of the USDA. Her accomplishments include the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Chief’s Diversity award, the USDA Martin Luther King Drum Major for Service award, the USDA Organization of Professional Employees Unsung Hero award, and the Pearlie S. Reed Excellence in Conservation award. 

Williams told the Ledger she was surprised when she got the phone call from Lincoln that she would be inducted into the school’s HOF.

“It’s at the top,” Williams said about where this achievement ranks in her career. “I was very surprised yet honored that Lincoln University would recognize me as an alum that had significant achievements.”

Williams still has family in Vandalia and her God son lives in Mexico. The new Hall of Fame inductee has lots of family in Jefferson City and what most excites her about being enshrined is that she will have an ever-lasting legacy at the school.

“My name will be honored there on the wall in the hall of fame,” Williams said. “All of the alum will see it and my family can see it. It’s more than just an award because it will be there forever.”

Williams also hopes that young women in Audrain County can use her achievements as motivation in setting and achieving their own goals.

“Audrain County is where I grew up and I would like to serve as a role model or mentor as someone who comes from a small town,” Williams said.

Williams said she’s big on social media and had fun announcing the news and watching the comments and well-wishes flow in. Williams said the best message came from two Lincoln alums she met at a networking event in Kansas City. To be named to the Lincoln HOF one must be nominated. The two thought so much of Williams they nominated her.

“Their message stood out,” Williams said.

The celebration will take place on July 8, in Kansas City. Williams isn’t having a party or get-together for the accomplishment. Instead, she’s going to take her time letting this one play out and there will be plenty of celebrating to come.

“It’s pretty much going to be a year-long celebration,” Williams said.