Terry Hatfield, a 1975 graduate of (WBU), has turned his memories of the university’s historic Startup Chapel into a meaningful work of art. Hatfield, now retired and residing in Heber Springs, Arkansas, recently presented a detailed pencil drawing of the chapel to WBU President Dr. Stan Norman. The piece, he explained, reflects his enduring connection to the building and its role in shaping his spiritual life.
“First of all, I wanted to do the drawing because of the memories that that particular building conjured up in not just myself, but a lot of the other students that were in my class,” Hatfield said. “In my life as a Christian, the things that took place in that chapel helped form the person that I am, that God made me into.”
Dr. Norman expressed gratitude for Hatfield’s artistic contribution, noting that the university plans to frame and display the drawing in a prominent location on campus. “Every generation of students on this campus has memories of Startup Chapel, and Mr. Hatfield has captured both the beauty and the spirit of this iconic building with his artistic skill,” Norman said. “We sincerely appreciate him for donating his drawing, and it was wonderful getting to know him during his visit.”
Hatfield’s ties to the chapel date back to his student days when the school was known as Southern Baptist College. The 79-year-old structure served as the military chapel for the Walnut Ridge Army Flying School during World War II before being relocated to the university campus. Now named for Dr. Kenneth Startup, a longtime academic dean and history professor at WBU, Startup Chapel has since become a cornerstone of campus life, hosting events such as preaching conferences and choir rehearsals. It underwent renovations and expansion in 2024.
Hatfield, whose creative talents also include writing and music, shared how deeply the chapel influenced his years at WBU. “All of those memories are wrapped up in that little building, and I wanted to draw that building for a long time. I was trying to pick from several different pictures, but I chose that one, and it came out with my heart in it,” he said. “I just wanted it to be here at the school because of how special a place this has been in my life.”
The donation underscores the continuing impact of Startup Chapel on generations of students. Hatfield’s artwork now joins the chapel itself as a lasting reminder of the enduring role the university plays in the lives of its alumni.