Walnut Ridge High School senior Tate Anderson is headed to his hometown university as part of two musical ensembles and an honors program. Anderson signed his commitment with Williams Baptist University Thursday, Jan. 31, for the Coe Honors Program, the Williams Singers and a new worship team being launched at WBU.
A crowd of friends, family and teachers gathered in the WRHS library to watch as Anderson signed with WBU. He is the son of Bob & Stephanie Anderson. His parents and sister, Avery, joined him for the signing ceremony.
Anderson, who is a guitarist and vocalist, became the first student to sign with the worship band that will begin performing this fall at WBU. The worship team will lead weekly in WBU chapel services, and it will also travel to other churches and events, as well as being available for summer camps.
“I am beyond excited to be a part of the Williams Singers and the new worship team starting next school year. Music is a longtime passion of mine, so to be able to do something that I love with people who have similar interests, all while spreading the word of God, is a dream come true,” Anderson said.
Bill Jeffery, assistant director of communications & marketing at WBU, is leading the effort to form a worship team at WBU.
“As we began discussing the new worship team, it seemed like everyone was telling me about Tate. He obviously had a profound impact on many people, and I understood why after I found some videos of him leading worship. I knew immediately that our program had to have him. After seeing him lead in person and spending some time with him one-on-one, I had no doubt that his talent and character would give our team a strong foundation,”Jeffery said.
Other students are also planning to sign with the new worship band, and auditions continue for other new members, as well. Jeffery said, in particular, the band is in search of a drummer. Those who are interested in being a part of the band, supporting it through donations or booking the band can contact Jeffery at bjeffery@williamsbu.edu.
Tate will also be a member of the Williams Singers, the venerable choir of the university which performs at churches and events across Arkansas and beyond. Dr. Bob Magee, director of the Singers, was on hand for the signing.
Also on hand for the ceremony was Dr. Chris Polachic, who directs WBU’s Coe Honors Program. The Coe Program is open to students with a proven record of academic achievement. Members participate in special field trips, symposia, lectures and other academic enrichment activities.
Williams is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.