All students are encouraged to participate in the campus recreation program. Numerous recreational sports are offered including: flag football, softball, volleyball, basketball, spike ball, disc golf and ultimate Frisbee. Tournaments and leagues are held throughout the year in all activities. Students who are interested in participating are encouraged to join a team or form their own team. Much creativity and fun go into the process of selecting team names and nicknames for individual team members. Interested students should contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Students, faculty and staff meet weekly on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. for our chapel services. We meet each week in Manley Chapel. The purpose of chapel is for the entire campus community to join together in a time of worship and to set our hearts and focus on Christ. Chapel is required of all students at WBU. The Office of Student Affairs administers the chapel policy as determined by a faculty committee. Students are responsible for bringing their ID cards to chapel to scan their attendance. Once chapel starts and the doors are closed, students are considered absent. Students are allowed one paper slip attendance per semester if ID cards are lost or forgotten. During traditional semesters students must attend ten chapels per semester. During modified chapel semesters when students are divided into an A and B section, students must attend six chapels per semester. Each subsequent absence will result in a $50 fine being placed on the student’s account .

CHAPEL EXEMPTIONS – A student requesting chapel exemption should complete a chapel exemption form and submit it to the Office of Student Affairs by the end of the second week of classes in order to avoid a $50 processing fine. Each petition is considered on its own merit and must be renewed each semester. If a request is not granted, the student will be notified by campus mail. Exemptions from chapel are possible in the following cases:

• If a student lives off-campus and does not have a class or on-campus activity on Wednesday or until 12 noon or later on Wednesday.
• If a student has an unavoidable work responsibility which conflicts with chapel the student must provide a letter from his/her work employer, on letterhead, detailing the conflict.
• If a student is part-time (carrying less than 12 semester hours).

• Alpha Chi Honor Society – National Honor Society 
• Alph Chi Epsilon – Women’s Social Club 
• Alpha Psi Omega – National Theatrical Honor Fraternity 
• Bancroft Society – History Club 
• Beta Beta Beta – National Biological Honor Society 
• Campus Ministries – Provides avenues for Christian leadership, fellowship, and missions 
• Greek Club – A forum for discussion of the language, culture, and people of 1st century Mediterranean world. 
• Kappa Tau Chi – Men’s Social Club 
• LEAD – Leadership opportunities for business majors 
• Music Educators National Conference – National Music Education Organization 
• Mu Alpha Theta – Math and Science Club 
• Mu Phi Epsilon – International professional music fraternity 
• Phi Alpha Theta – International Historical Honor Society 
• Phi Beta Lambda – Business Club 
• Psi Chi – National Honor Society of Psychology 
• Professional Psychology Club – Promotes leadership in the field of Psychology 
• Sigma Beta Delta – Business National Honor Society 
• Sigma Tau Delta – English National Honor Society 
• Student Activities Board – Opportunities for student leadership and planning of student activities 
• Student Ambassadors – Student Service Organization 
• Student Government Association – Opportunities for student leadership and development 
• Theta Alpha Kappa – Religious Honor Society 
• Visual Arts Awareness Society – To promote the appreciation of the visual arts 
• WBU Pre-Law Society – For students considering law school

The foundation of student life at Williams is the spiritual development of each individual. The University seeks to integrate faith and learning in all aspects of campus life. Students can be assured that each member of the faculty and administration is committed to this mission.

CAMPUS MINISTRIES – The vision of Campus Ministries is to Influence students to GROW closer to Jesus, CONNECT deeper in Biblical Community, and SERVE Him selflessly. The objective is to reach students with the knowledge and love of Jesus, to challenge them to grow in Him through discipleship, and to send them to live in the world on the mission of the Gospel of Christ.

MINISTRY TEAM – The Campus Ministries under the leadership of the Student Leadership Team exists to carry the vision of the campus ministry into every corner of the campus. They are the primary mouthpiece for what is happening as well as why it is happening. They also set the example of what it looks like to carry out the mission of Campus Ministries. 

THURSDAY NIGHT WORSHIP – Thursday night worship is a weekly worship gathering that provides a more intimate atmosphere conducive for discussion. We believe this is a time to celebrate the works that God is doing through Life Groups and to challenge students to take the next steps in discipleship and evangelism. Students are led in worship by other students and taught how to apply God’s word to their daily life. 

Numerous avenues exist for students to be involved on campus through clubs and organizations, intramural sports, residence halls, and so on. Some students arrive on campus and immediately find themselves in the middle of everything. Some are reticent and prefer to slowly pick and choose. Still others prefer to be asked or prodded to participate. Here are some suggestions for getting involved: 

• LOOK. Be aware of opportunities. Read flyers and social media. Listen to announcements and review your student emails. 
• THINK. Consider the opportunities in relation to personal interests, previous experience, and skills. 
• SELECT. Decide on the level and quality of involvement that can be handled with respect to time and abilities. 
• ATTEND. Get out of the room. Go to meetings. Attend campus events. 
• VOLUNTEER. Let interests be known. Sign-up when help is solicited, or 18 Student Life Director requests. 
• CREATE. Form a new club. See the resident director about a program idea. Develop a service project or volunteer where there is a need!

STUDENT HANDBOOK – For the complete student handbook, click here. 

STUDENT I.D. CARDS (BLUE Cards) – Issued during registration by the Office of Student Affairs. Blue Cards are necessary for: meals in the cafeteria, chapel attendance, to check out recreational equipment, to attend athletic events, and to check out books from the Library and also may be used at area businesses to receive a discount. Lost cards should be reported to the Office of Student Affairs immediately. Replacement cards are $15.00.

CAMPUS HEALTH – The Health Clinic, located in the Mabee Student Center, is staffed by a registered nurse and is available for the following: health education and information, physician referral, assorted health screenings, B12 injections, allergy injections and personal consultations. The clinic is open throughout the school year on a part-time basis; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In addition, Williams Baptist University is located close to many health providers in Walnut Ridge. In the event of emergencies, resident students who become ill or injured should notify the residence director who will either call 911 or arrange for transport to the Lawrence Health Services emergency room. The College assumes no financial responsibility for the hospital, physician, or other medical charges. (All students are required each semester at registration to purchase a mandatory accident insurance policy.) First aid supplies for minor injuries are available in the residence halls, gymnasium, Student Center, Health Clinic and the Office of Student Affairs.

Williams Baptist University believes in the rich heritage a traditional liberal arts campus provides. The traditional events provide an inviting framework in which to make memories, which are accomplished mostly through the student activities program. Some of the traditions at Williams are: 

FIRST FAIR – The first few weeks of school are filled with events to welcome new and returning students to campus. The highlight is First Fair–a festive, informative atmosphere where local businesses, student organizations, and local churches, set up booths in the Southerland-Mabee Center.

HOMECOMING – The homecoming celebration at Williams spans several days in the fall. Alumni, students, faculty, other friends and supporters of the University enjoy receptions, a luncheon, basketball games, and the presentation of the Homecoming Queen, King and their court.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COVE – The faculty members open their homes for students to drop in for refreshments and fellowship during the Christmas season.

SPRING FLING – Spring Fling is a series of events held each April sponsored by the Student Activities Board to celebrate the beginning of spring. Typically, these events include outdoor recreational activities such as the annual 5K glow run/walk.

MISS WBU PAGEANT –The Miss WBU Pageant is held yearly and contestants are judged on personality, poise, and talent. The pageant is directed by the Office of Student Affairs.