The family of the late Dr. James Soluri, professor emeritus of music, presented the first “Doc” Soluri Memorial Scholarship to Daniel Williams ’07, center. Shown with Dan are Jim's daughter, Barbara Soluri Cokorinos, left, and wife, Sally Soluri, right.

Daniel Williams ’07 has received the first “Doc” Soluri Memorial Scholarship.

Williams just completed his senior year at Oswego State, where he was a double major in music and Spanish with a minor in theater.

Soluri taught at Oswego from 1960 to 2000, and became chair of the music department in the '70s. He made great contributions to campus through leading groups like StateSingers, directing musicals and operas, and of course, making his presence felt in the classroom. Soluri was also active in faculty governance, having an impact on the entire campus.

“Those were very, very happy times for him and we wanted to establish this scholarship to carry on his legacy and to encourage other students,” said Sally Soluri of her late husband’s connection to Oswego State.

Williams is from Weedsport and had an overall grade point average of 3.89 while attending Oswego. During his undergraduate career, Williams participated in several plays and musicals, including "The Secret Garden," "The 1940s Radio Hour," "Big: The Musical," "Our Town," "A Christmas Carol," "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Lost in a Viral Paradise.”

Williams also took part in several music ensembles at Oswego including College Choir, Festival Chorus, Chamber Singers, StateSingers and Recorder Consort.

He plans to continue teaching voice and piano lessons, while taking some graduate music classes at Oswego in the fall. Williams’ long-term plans include attending graduate school for music education in the spring. He hopes to attend either Syracuse University or Ithaca College.

“I had always heard great things about ‘Doc’ Soluri and had the privilege of meeting him on a couple of occasions. I hope to live up to his level of inspiration and greatness. It's an honor I can aspire to and continue pursuing through my further musical endeavors,” wrote Williams.

Williams is currently involved with the Oswego Opera Theatre and the Port City Theatre. He will perform in the upcoming performance of “Carousel” presented by the Oswego Opera Theatre at Waterman Theatre in Tyler Hall Oct. 26 to 28.

— Kristin Quinn '08