
Dedicated in 2008, the Williamson Conference and Education Center bears the name of Frank "Sonny” and Betty C. Williamson in recognition of their outstanding support of education at IRSC. Constructed entirely with private contributions, this exceptional educational center brings a wealth of resources to students and residents of Okeechobee.
Okeechobee resident Frank "Sonny” Williamson devoted the first 25 years of his career to Williamson Cattle, building it into one of the state's largest beef cattle producers. The company now operates citrus groves in Florida and catfish farms in Alabama.
Sonny is among Florida’s most progressive farmers, and is the recipient of the 2003 Florida Farmer of the Year Award and was inducted in the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2005. His love for the environment resulted in Sonny receiving the 2003 Agricultural Environmental Leadership Award.
Also very active, Betty Williamson is the President of the Okeechobee Historical Society and the author of a book on the history of Okeechobee. In addition, she and Sonny are founding members of IRSC’s Lifelong Learning Institute and are active supporters of the Institute’s Distinguished Lecture Series. They are also strong ambassadors of the Take Stock in Children Program, a passion they have passed to their children.