The man, the myth, the road: JW Watson
Photo Courtesy of Billy Cannada
Colby Craig, Staff Writer
For 43 years, Bill Watson has been a part of North Greenville and has fulfilled many different roles. He has a major passion for the university and invests a lot of his time in creating relationships with students.
Watson said, “They’ve grown into friendships still, you know, talk to them, mentor some of them still and just being able to be a mentor and a leader and getting to know the students and staff and faculty that I’ve worked with. The relationships have probably been the most rewarding thing.”
He started his NGU journey when it was still a two-year school 43 years ago and has been engrained in the life of the college ever since.
“Back then, if we had been a four-year school, I never would have left,” said Watson.
Throughout his time working at NGU, Watson has been employed to do many different jobs. He started as men’s soccer coach, head of intramural activities and housing coordinator for Bruce dorm building for two years. Next, he moved to coaching football, continuing in intramurals and housing for another two years.
Watson said, “Back then you had to have two or three jobs. Then as the school began growing, it got harder and harder to do multiple jobs.”
He moved to working intramurals and housing until 2005 when he became the director of student services, what is now known as CMSE, for 15 years. Currently, Watson is working as the senior associate vice president for Tigerville operations and has done so for the last five years.
Watson has always had a particular interest in sports. Many of his jobs at NGU have included being a part of the intramurals on campus and he has been a coach of many teams on campus including basketball, soccer and football.
Many of Watson’s fondest memories of NGU have involved watching students grow and even watching his kids grow up around students.
Watson said, “Watching my kids grow up on campus and the way that they had a bunch of big brothers and big sisters, I mean, that’s always would be a fond memory.”
He has given his life to NGU ever since he was a student, only taking a two-year break to go to Clemson University.
He said, “I couldn’t imagine it because it’s been such an integral part of everything I’ve always done. Ever since graduating high school.”
North Greenville has had JW Watson around for such a long time that he recently had a road named after him. What was once named “Crusader Court” is now named “JW Watson Way” in honor of his outstanding leadership to students for the 39 years he has worked at NGU.
Watson was unaware of the honor being bestowed on him even though the highway department put the road sign up earlier than expected.
Watson explained, “Apparently, the sign had been up for four or five days, and I hadn’t even noticed it and I come by there every day at least once a day. There’s no telling how many times I’ve passed that and didn’t even notice.”
Watson explained that he is very honored to have not only his name but his family’s name highlighted in such a way.
He says, “I really hope that I’ve made a difference in a lot of people’s lives.”
