Williams Baptist College is a private, coeducational, four-year college located in the Lawrence County, Arkansas community of Walnut Ridge. Founded in 1941, this institution began its life as a two year school. It began granting bachelor's degrees in 1984. The name of the school was changed in 1991 from Southern Baptist College to Williams Baptist College in honor of its founder and first president, Dr. H. E. Williams. The current president of the institution is Dr. Tom Jones.Williams has been accredited since 1963 through the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.The college is owned and operated by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Previous presidents include Dr. H.E. Williams (1941–1973), Dr. D. Jack Nicholas (1973–1991), Dr. Jimmy Millikin (1991–1993), Dr. Gary Huckabay (1993–1995) and Dr. Jerol B. Swaim (1995–2012).AthleticsWBC athletic teams, nicknamed the Eagles, are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the American Midwest Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, cross country and track, while women's sports include basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, cross country and track.
