Attorney William H. (Billy) Dial and his wife Grace not only built financial institutions but also left a lasting mark on Florida’s educational landscape. Our legacy intertwines with the journeys of the Dials, their daughters Patricia Dial Vig and Joan D. Ruffier, and the William & Grace Dial Center at the University of Florida.
Born from humble beginnings, William Dial worked his way through college and graduated from UF’s law school in 1932, eventually becoming a prominent figure in Orlando. His influence extended beyond legal expertise, playing a key role in bringing I-4 through downtown, a decision that ultimately attracted Walt Disney’s theme park. Later, he transitioned to banking, transforming First National Bank into the flourishing SunBank, which later became SunTrust and now Truist.
Communication was Dial’s forte, evident in his eloquent speaking and writing. This passion resonated with his eldest daughter, Joan D. Ruffier, who followed in her father’s footsteps, earning degrees at UF and becoming the first female Chair of the Florida Board of Regents. Sharing her father’s dedication to education, she spearheaded the Dial family’s $500,000 gift to establish the Dial Center in 1996.
The Dial Center, named after William and Grace Dial, embodied their values. It aims to equip students with the written and oral communication skills needed to thrive in various fields, aligning with Dial’s practicality and Ruffier’s belief in transferable skills. The Dial Center’s impact has traversed disciplines and departments across UF, mirroring Dial’s influence that transcended legal boundaries. While the “Written” part of “Written & Oral Communication” joined the University Writing Program in 2014, the Dial Center continued to evolve and expand its offerings with a Minor in Communication Studies, competitive and public Speech and Debate squads, an Ambassador Leadership Program for undergraduates, and an expanded Public Speaking Lab, which moved into the 5th Floor of Rolfs Hall in 2022.
In 2024, the Dial Center’s continued evolution has been recognized by being renamed the William & Grace Dial Center for Speech and Communication Studies. Whether known for “Written & Oral Communication” or “Speech and Communication Studies”, the Dial Center continues to honor the Dial legacy by helping individuals navigate the complexities of 21st-century communication and empowering them to use those skills to contribute positively to society. Through the Dial family’s vision, the Dial Center ensures that future generations can effectively share ideas, bridge disciplines, and advocate for themselves and others, just as William Dial and his wife Grace did throughout their remarkable lives.