WBU President Dr. Stan Norman (right) tours the newly renovated Start-Up Chapel with Trustees Susan Allison and Cliff Gifford. Credit: Williams
WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – The Williams Baptist University Board of Trustees got a first-hand look at the newly renovated Start-Up Chapel on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Holding their regularly scheduled meeting on the Williams campus, the board toured the historic chapel and viewed the renovations and additions that are nearing completion.
The $1 million project resulted in a much larger stage, new windows, new seating, technology upgrades and new restrooms in the chapel, as well as a new building addition behind the chapel that includes dressing rooms, set construction areas, prop and furniture storage and other amenities.
“Start-Up Chapel has been a staple of WBU’s campus life for nearly 80 years, and now it has a whole new life,” said Williams College President Stan Norman. “Our contractors and everyone involved in this project did a fantastic job, and it will be a wonderful venue to watch plays and attend other events for years to come.”
Start-Up Chapel began as a military chapel for the Walnut Ridge Army Flying School during World War II. When WBU moved to the site in the 1940s, the university utilized the chapel as its campus chapel. The chapel has hosted countless services and weddings, and is still used for campus activities today, including performances by the WBU Theatre Club.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Recently, the chapel was named in honor of retired WBU dean and professor of history, Dr. Kenneth Start-Up.
WBU has raised the funds needed to complete the startup chapel project, including a $200,000 challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation of Midland, Texas. The chapel will be officially dedicated on Nov. 9 during WBU’s Homecoming Celebration.
In addition, the board elected officers for the coming year: JR Cox of Walnut Ridge will continue as board president, John Hill of Jonesboro will remain as vice president, and Dave Russell of Jonesboro will serve as board president.
The board also thanked several members who are rotating out of the board: Jamar Andrews of Jonesboro, Leanne Caudle of Bentonville, Jeff Crawford of Springdale, James Nichols Jr. of Marion and Jody Smorman of Batesville, whose terms on the board are expiring.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
“I would like to personally thank the members of the Board of Trustees who have donated their time, wisdom and expertise over the past few years,” Norman said. “We are very grateful to them and look forward to their continued active involvement in the ministry of Williams Baptist University.”
Williams College is a private, Christian college located in Walnut Ridge.
press release
Help NEA know by sharing:
Like this:
Like Loading…
You might also be interested in:
Learn more from the NEA report
Subscribe to receive the latest posts by email.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
