Williams Baptist University approves 2026-27 budget

The Williams Baptist University board of trustees approved a $20.4 million budget for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday (April 7). The budget is a 4.6% increase when compared the to current school year.

“The budget approved by the board today reflects careful stewardship of our resources while providing the funding necessary to provide an academically outstanding, Christ-centered education for our students,” said Williams President Dr. Stan Norman. “We are grateful to have a spending plan which meets our needs in a fiscally conservative fashion.”

In other action, trustees gave their formal approval to the slate of graduates in the Williams Class of 2026. More than 100 graduates are set to receive diplomas when WBU holds commencement exercises on May 9.

“This is the time of year when we get to see the fruits of our labors,” Norman said. “After years of pouring our lives into these students and sharing this wonderful part of life’s journey with them, we get to watch them grasp that diploma they have worked so hard to achieve. We are so excited for them and we are eager to see all that God does in their lives as Williams graduates.”

The board also approved the renaming of two psychology awards to honor a couple of longtime WBU professors. The awards are now known as the Dr. Paul Rhoads Psychology Award and the Dr. Gary Gregory Child & Family Studies Award. Both awards will be presented yearly to standout students in the department of psychology.

Rhoads and Gregory both retired in recent years after serving for decades on the WBU psychology faculty.

Trustees congratulated two Williams Eagles basketball players who earned accolades this season. Cha’Myrean Ellis of the women’s basketball team and Deion Wesson of the men’s squad were both honored.

Both were named American Midwest Conference Player of the Year and AMC Newcomer of the Year in their respective sports, and both were honored as NAIA third team All Americans.