WBC Ready for Another School Year

WBC Ready for Another School Year

(Walnut Ridge, Ark.) – The Williams Baptist College campus continues to come alive as the beginning of a new school year is just around the corner.  The four-year, liberal arts college at Walnut Ridge will begin classes on Monday, August 26.

“Williams is experiencing much growth and change at this time,” said Dr. Tom Jones, WBC’s president.  “With the additions of women’s soccer, an out-of-state admissions counselor, and other activities in the works, it is an exciting time to be a part of the Williams legacy.”

Women’s volleyball, men’s soccer and the inaugural women’s soccer team arrived on campus two weeks ago for their pre-season practices.  All three teams begin their seasons this month.

Residence hall staff returned to campus Sunday evening to begin their week of training, and other student workers will continue to move in throughout the week.

Freshmen move into the residence halls and begin orientation on Thursday, August 22.  Opening convocation will be held on Wednesday, August 28.

“We look forward to having all of our students back on campus so we can continue to produce exceptional graduates prepared to engage local and global cultures through a Christ-centered worldview,” concluded Dr. Jones.

WBC Adding Wrestling Program

 

(Walnut Ridge,  Ark.) – Men’s wrestling is the latest sport to be added to the varsity athletic program at Williams Baptist  College.  WBC says it plans to hire a wrestling coach to start recruiting this year, and the Eagles wrestling squad will begin competition in the 2014-15 school year.

 

“Wrestling is a great next step as we continue expansion of the Williams athletic program,” said Williams Athletic Director Jeff Rider.  “It is a good fit for our college, and it’s a growing sport in the state of Arkansas.”

 

The college credits Greg Hatcher, owner of the Hatcher Agency insurance firm in Little Rock, with helping WBC establish its wrestling program.  Hatcher, who is a wrestling advocate, is funding mats, uniforms and other equipment to assist in getting the team started. 

 

Mike Moyer, executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, also visited WBC to assist in the launch.

 

“Wrestling will give Williams exposure to the thousands of high school wrestlers looking for a place to compete. As a result, they will end up getting a liberal arts education at a faith-based school, which will help develop future leaders. Wrestling will bring to Williams students who would have never considered the college without a wrestling program,” Hatcher commented.

 

“Mr. Hatcher has been a huge help in getting a wrestling team started, both with his generosity and his guidance,” said Williams President Dr. Tom Jones.  “Wrestling is a sport that builds character and discipline, blending perfectly with our mission to provide an excellent, holistically Christian, liberal arts education, while compassionately shaping student lives.”

 

The wrestling program is expected to have more than 25 athletes when in full swing.  Home matches will take place in WBC’s Southerland-Mabee Center, with another campus facility to be used for team practices.  It will become the eighth varsity sport at Williams, which also offers men’s basketball, baseball and soccer, and women’s basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball.

 

Williams is a four-year, liberal arts college at Walnut Ridge.  The Eagles compete in the American Midwest Conference of the NAIA.

 

 

WBC Announces Golf Tourney Champs

 

The foursome of Cade Liebhaber, Steven Southard, David Steimel and Chris Armstrong shot a 50 to win the Williams Baptist College Golf Tournament on Friday, August 16.  The four-person scramble was held at Rolling Hills Country Club in Pocahontas.

 

Two teams tied for second place, with the foursome of Derek Fitzgerald, Anthony Houseman, Blake Prater and David Griffith coming into the clubhouse even with the squad of Joe Jones, Trent Jones, Matthew Jones and Spencer Jones.  Both teams shot a 53.

 

Placing fourth was the team of N. Ray Campbell, Ron Mangold, Jeff O’Donnell and Jade Wells.  Their squad finished the round with a 56.

 

Gold sponsors for the Williams Golf Tourney included: Brackett-Krennerich Architects; Cavenaugh Chevrolet; Day’s Inn of Pocahontas; The Doty Group; Rebecca Edwards Dentistry; Greenway Equipment and Integrity First Bank.

 

Hole sponsors were: Adam Staples State Farm Insurance; Arkansas Baptist Foundation; Dr. Karla Baltz, DDS; Bancorp South; First National Bank; Master Print Group; Regions Bank; The Smotherman Family; Storlie Enterprises; The Storehouse and Walmart of Walnut Ridge.

 

Proceeds from the tournament go to support the WBC athletic program.