Erika Isbill and Ryan Whittle have been awarded the 2018 Williams Baptist University Founders Awards.  Isbill is from Jonesboro, Ark., and Whittle is from Greenwich, Conn. Williams President Dr. Stan Norman presented the awards during the annual graduate’s luncheon on Friday, May 4.

Founders Award winners are selected from each graduating class at Williams.

Recipients are chosen by a vote of the faculty and administration as outstanding representatives of the college and its ideals.

Isbill, who is receiving her degree in history, is the daughter of Eric and Marsha Isbill.
“Erika did outstanding work in all of her courses.  She was a classroom leader, fun, enthusiastic and has a great sense of humor. She has the kind of curious mind and intellect that epitomizes the Williams commitment to a liberal arts education,” said Dr. Blake Perkins, chair of the WBU department of history.
Whittle, who is receiving his degree in health and physical education, is the son of Larry Whittle and Jasmine Bartlett.

“Ryan is a leader, a professional, a mentor and an example for the folkstyle and Greco-Roman wrestling teams, as well as all students at WBU. It has been an honor to work with this young man, and we are a better institution because he attended,” said Todd Allen, head coach of the Williams wrestling squad.
Williams’s commencement ceremony will be held tomorrow morning, Saturday, May 5. It will begin at 10 a.m. in the Southerland-Mabee Center.

The Class of 2018 will be the final class to graduate as Williams Baptist University. Williams will officially become Williams Baptist University this summer.