“On behalf of the faculty and administration, I want to thank Ralph Williams for all that he has contributed to the University of Michigan, to the cultural life of this campus, to the diversity and excellence and most of all to students’ learning.”

While choking back tears, Monts concluded, “We will forever remember his love for this institution (and) his role in changing the lives of many people — including me.”

Michael Brooks, Hillel executive director and friend of Williams for more than 35 years, gave the introduction to the lecture.

He said the idea of the Golden Apple Teaching Award was inspired by Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrkanos, who in the 3rd century professed in the Talmud to “Get your life in order one day before you die.”

Brooks said the principle teaches that “we should always be giving our ideal last lectures.”

Brooks said the main advice he has given to students over the years is to take one of Williams’s classes before they graduate.

“Whatever it is, I tell them it’s going to transform the way you read, the way you think, it’s gong to transform the way you live,” he said.

After the introduction, Williams ambled up the stage to deafening applause.

He began by thanking all the speakers and his mother, whom he mentioned in various anecdotes throughout the lecture.

He then went on to explain that during his time at the University, he has served with six presidents, six chairs of the English Department and many others.

“I’ve served with a pride of provosts and vice presidents,” he said. “There’s been a whole dazzle of deans. I have had a huge host of hugely learned colleagues who’ve tried mightily to make something of my mind.”

But Williams expressed the most gratitude for all the students he taught throughout his career.

“I have fought and learned with a full biblical generation of the best students in the world brought here from every state and every land,” he said.

Williams began his lecture — titled "How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea?" — by discussing his guiding principle in his life: “Never let beauty willingly die.”

“You haven’t been reading The New York Times, you haven’t been watching your televisions, if you don’t know of the exceeding pain, agony and evil around the world, amongst us and abroad,” he said.

Williams said beauty won’t solve the problems of evil “but you can set beauty against evil and perhaps bare it and bury it.”

He added that one can “find cause to celebrate life in all its rich diversity.”

During the lecture, Williams captivated the audience by reciting sonnets by William Shakespeare as well as other literature from author Toni Morrison and poet Walt Whitman.

LSA sophomore Yaser Carcora said it was one of the greatest lectures he had ever seen in his life.

“I came out of it thinking I was a better person and wanting to do better things,” he said. “I honestly regret I missed the chance to take a class with him.”

LSA senior Maria Pahl said the lecture was well worth it, even though she had been awake for 36 straight hours studying for finals.

“I’m tired out of my mind, but I came here and listened to what he had to say, and I just feel invigorated,” she said.

LSA sophomore Mark Navarro, vice president of the Undergraduate English Association, helped organize the event and performed an imitation of Williams before he spoke.

“It was an honor to express my deep and profound love for this man and all he does,” he said.

Navarro said that, besides taking English 401 with Williams, he sat in one of his classes as a senior in high school, which was his deciding factor in attending the University.