New trustees at Williams Baptist University are (left to right) Jamar Andrews, Aaron Abbott, Cheryl Dean, Tonya Taylor, Shane Stolz and James Nichols. (Submitted)
(WALNUT RIDGE, Ark.) – The Board of Trustees at Williams Baptist University welcomed several new members at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Dec. 9. The board also granted tenure to a WBU English professor and voted to develop a cooperative agreement with a neighboring college.
It was the first meeting of the board’s 2025-26 year, and seven members are either new to the board or returning after having served previously. Joining the board this year are Aaron Abbott of Springdale, Jamar Andrews of Jonesboro, Cheryl Dean of Jonesboro, James Nichols, Jr. of Marion, Stacy Reed of Batesville, Shane Stolz of Bull Shoals and Tonya Taylor of Vilonia.
“These new board members bring new energy and a sense of excitement to our Board of Trustees,” said WBU President Dr. Stan Norman. “All of these trustees are great friends of Williams, including four alumni who are returning to the university that has meant so much to them. We are so thankful for their willingness to serve, and we look forward to working with them.”
The board voted to award tenure and a promotion in rank to Dr. Trevor Babcock. Babcock, who teaches on the WBU English faculty, will be elevated from assistant professor to associate professor. His tenure and promotion were recommended by a faculty committee.
“Dr. Babcock is a passionate and innovative educator,” Norman said. “He brings a Christ-centered focus to his studies and helps students find the spiritual dimension in literature and culture. He has earned this new rank, and we congratulate him on it.”
Tenure of full-time faculty at WBU provides for continuing appointment, assuring faculty members of an ongoing position at the institution under ordinary circumstances. Tenure is a privilege conferred by the board of trustees to a faculty member who is deemed to have earned the honor. Williams bestows tenure on faculty who, over a period of years, have demonstrated a commitment to the Christian mission of the university and have achieved a high level of academic and teaching excellence.
The board also voted to develop a partnership with Black River Technical College in Pocahontas. The two institutions, which are only nine miles apart, plan to join forces on regional workforce training.
“We already enjoy a very collegial relationship with BRTC, and we plan to develop that partnership in ways that will greatly benefit both institutions and the region we serve,” Norman said. “We hope to flesh out plans for this collaboration and announce details over the next several weeks.”
And trustees congratulated several members of the Williams Eagles athletic department for their achievements. Yajaira Alvarado of Jonesboro was recognized for being named the American Midwest Conference Women’s Soccer Player of the Year, while cross-country athlete Marizenne Jonker of Johannesburg, South Africa, was recognized for being selected All-AMC and an NAIA Qualifier.
Women’s Soccer Coach Daniel Carney was recognized for being selected the AMC Coach of the Year, while Athletic Director Mitch Mathis was congratulated for his department again being named an NAIA Champions of Character-Gold Level program.
Williams is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.