Williams Baptist University: A Legacy of Faith and Liberal Arts Education
Williams Baptist University (WBU), a comprehensive liberal arts institution owned and operated by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, holds a rich history rooted in faith, perseverance, and a commitment to providing quality education. From its humble beginnings in Pocahontas to its current thriving campus in Walnut Ridge, WBU has transformed countless lives and contributed significantly to the educational landscape of northeastern Arkansas.
Origins and Early Years
The seeds for Williams Baptist University were sown in the mid-1930s by Dr. Henry E. Watters, former president of Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Watters envisioned reviving Jonesboro Baptist College, an institution that had succumbed to the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Among those who Watters recruited to aid in this effort was Hubert Ethridge Williams, the young pastor of the First Baptist Church of Harrisburg.
When Watters's health faltered, Williams, then pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pocahontas, took up the mantle. He tirelessly garnered support from area residents, Jonesboro Baptist College alumni, and former students of Maynard Baptist Academy, another early attempt at Baptist-sponsored education in the region. Williams’s relentless commitment to the cause culminated in the opening of the college, then named Southern Baptist College, on September 10, 1941, in Pocahontas.
The Pocahontas City Council played a crucial role by providing a new Works Progress Administration (WPA) community center as the college's initial home. The trustees of the college selected H. E. Williams as the first president, a position he would hold for thirty-two years. In the early years, the college relied primarily on tuition revenue and the support of individuals and churches.
Relocation and Growth in Walnut Ridge
A devastating fire on December 26, 1946, threatened the college's progress. However, Southern Baptist College was able to relocate to the decommissioned Walnut Ridge Army Flying School. After extensive negotiations with the War Assets Administration, facilitated by Senator John McClellan and Representative Wilbur Mills, Williams secured partial ownership of the airbase property.
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Over the following decades, the college invested millions in transforming the airbase into a modern campus. J. K. (Jerome Kee) Southerland, an entrepreneur from Batesville, was a key supporter of this process. In 1968, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention formally adopted the college, providing consistent annual financial assistance. To commemorate the singular, pivotal role played by H. E. Williams, the college was later renamed Williams Baptist College.
Academic Transformation and Expansion
From its inception, the college emphasized a core curriculum of traditional liberal arts courses. In the early 1970s, under the leadership of Dr. D. Jack Nicholas, the second president, and Dr. Jerol B. Swaim, the academic dean, plans were initiated to transform the college into a baccalaureate institution. This vision materialized in the early 1980s with the introduction of baccalaureate programs in religion, education, and business.
In 1995, Jerol Swaim, former academic dean, became the fifth president, succeeding Dr. Jimmy Milliken and Dr. Gary Huckaby. Building upon the physical improvements and curricular expansion initiated during President Nicholas's tenure, Swaim guided the college's maturation into a comprehensive liberal arts institution. He also oversaw the establishment of three professorial chairs and two distinguished lecture series: the Vaughn Lecture in the Humanities and the Mondy-Carroll Lecture in Science.
Thomas Jones succeeded Swaim as president in 2012. In September 2017, the college announced its transition to university status, marking a significant milestone in its history. Jones announced his resignation in December 2017, and in March 2018, Dr.
Campus Life and Student Experience
Williams Baptist University fosters a close-knit community where students can grow academically, spiritually, and socially. The university's location in Walnut Ridge provides a cozy and homely atmosphere. The student body, averaging around 500 each year, comprises students from nearly a dozen states and several foreign countries.
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WBU offers about twenty-five bachelor's degree majors, with its largest degree programs in religion, education, business, psychology, and biology. It also offers a Master of Arts in teaching and a Master of Science in education.
The university has experienced significant growth in its residence-hall population, with over sixty percent of the total enrollment on the Walnut Ridge campus residing in campus housing.
In keeping with its denominational heritage, the university requires all students to complete two Bible survey courses and attend a weekly chapel service. Williams students participate in a number of social traditions including Freshman Follies, Hall Wars, and Spring Fling.
Affordability and Financial Aid
Williams Baptist University is committed to making education accessible and affordable. The university offers a Christ-centered education model, generous scholarships, and pathways that eliminate tuition costs like the Williams Works program.
The Williams Works program allows students to work 16 hours per week during the academic year to have their tuition and fees completely covered, with opportunities to work during the summer to cover room and board, making debt-free graduation attainable.
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WBU also provides scholarships for student-athletes across its 15+ athletic programs and for participation in its music and theatre programs.
In terms of tuition, both in-state and out-of-state tuition are \$21,070. Additional costs include room and board (\$9,340) and books and supplies (\$1250).
A significant percentage of undergraduate students receive federal gift aid and grants. The university also provides a substantial amount in total needs-based and non-need-based scholarships and grants.
Admissions
Williams Baptist University considers various criteria when selecting candidates for unconditional admission, including satisfactory scores on the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), a high school diploma, or satisfactory completion of the General Education Diploma (GED) examination. Homeschool students must have completed a secondary school education in a homeschool setting that is treated as a homeschool under state law.
Applicants deficient in one of the admissions criteria (ACT or SAT, GPA) may be admitted under condition or probation but will have restrictions placed on their enrollment.
The average ACT composite score for admitted students is 20, and the average SAT composite score is 1062.
A Lasting Impact
Since its beginning in 1941, Williams Baptist University has provided all, or a substantial part, of the post-secondary education for more than 10,000 students. While the majority of these students have been Arkansans, many have come from other states and countries. Reflecting the special interest of the university’s founder, a significant number of foreign students have come from Africa.
The university's graduates have gone on to make significant contributions in various fields, embodying the values of faith, learning, and service instilled at WBU. The average salary six years after graduation reflects the success of WBU graduates in the workforce.
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