(WALNUT RIDGE, Ark.) – Williams Baptist University (WBU) is set to celebrate its annual Homecoming & Family Weekend from Thursday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 8. The event will feature a variety of activities for students, alumni, parents, and the public.
The celebration begins Thursday evening with a concert by Christian artist Evan Egerer, scheduled for 7 p.m. in WBU's Manley Chapel. Tickets for the general public are $5 and can be purchased online at https://evanegererwbu.eventbrite.com. Current Williams students may attend free with a valid student ID.
On Friday, Nov. 6, a Homecoming bonfire will take place at 8:30 p.m. at the Pavilion on McClellan Drive, across from Shell Field parking. Parents, alumni, and students are encouraged to attend.
Saturday, Nov. 7, will feature the bulk of activities. The day begins with a choir reunion for alumni of the Southern Singers or Williams Singers, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the choir’s founding. The reunion will start at 8:30 a.m. in Maddox Fine Arts Center, with rehearsals to follow at 9 a.m.
Family-friendly activities include a Family Fun Zone with inflatable games and amusements from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Carter Field House. A Faculty Meet & Greet will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Eagle Grill in the Mabee Student Center, offering alumni and parents a chance to reconnect with faculty members.
The annual Fine Arts Showcase, featuring WBU’s music ensembles, The Cast drama group, and the Reunion Choir, will be held at 11 a.m. in Manley Chapel. Lunch will be available in the Mabee-Gwinup Cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $8.80 per person.
A women’s basketball reunion, marking 50 years of women’s basketball at Williams, will take place from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Southerland-Mabee Center’s Rose Room.
The afternoon will also include basketball games as the WBU women’s and men’s teams host the University of the Virgin Islands. The women’s game starts at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 3 p.m. Admission is $5, payable by cash or card. During the games, the Homecoming Court will be introduced, culminating with the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen. Recognitions of past Homecoming Queens and other honorees are scheduled to take place during halftime.
The day concludes with a Homecoming Dance at 7:30 p.m. in Eagle Grill.
Festivities wrap up Sunday, Nov. 8, with a chapel service at 10 a.m. in Manley Chapel. All alumni, students, and families are invited to attend. WBU President Dr. Stan Norman will deliver the sermon. Lunch will follow from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Mabee-Gwinup Cafeteria, with meals priced at $9.90 per person. The WBU-run Williams Corner store will be open from 1 to 4 p.m., offering gifts, home décor, and holiday items.
Located in Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist University is a private Christian institution focused on cultivating Christ-centered leaders through its educational programs.