WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – Ground was broken Tuesday for the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation Wellness Center at Williams Baptist University. WBU’s Board of Trustees joined in the ceremony, signaling the start of construction on the $7 million facility.

“We are thrilled to see construction commence on this facility,” said Williams President Dr. Stan Norman. “The J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation Wellness Center marks a major step forward for WBU, our students and our entire campus community. This beautiful structure will provide enhanced opportunities for fitness and recreation, and it simply gives us a great place for friends to be together.”

The Mabee Foundation awarded a $4 million grant to WBU in 2023 to help fund construction of the wellness center. Norman said the university has raised funds from other supporters in the ensuing time and is now ready to begin work.

The wellness center will have 26,000 square feet of floor space, and it will feature two basketball courts, weight and fitness equipment, an electronic gaming area, a student lounge, a screened-in porch and other amenities. Ramsons Construction of Jonesboro will build the facility.

The Board of Trustees was meeting in regular session Tuesday at WBU. Among its items of business, the board passed a resolution affirming prayer as an institutional priority, as well as approving a statement that prioritizes prayer at Williams.

“It is our desire for WBU to be known as the ‘Campus of the Bowed Head,’” Norman said. “Over the past several months, we have very intentionally set aside time and poured our energies into making prayer an integral part of our operation as a Christian university. Our campus community has embraced these efforts, and we expect to see our prayer initiatives expand over the course of this school year.”

The university recognized the faithful service of trustees who are rotating off the board after Tuesday’s meeting. Clint Emfinger of Searcy, Dr. Shane Knight of Alexander, Dr. Heather Moore of Cabot and Dr. Ben Rainwater of Little Rock have all completed their terms on the board.

“We thank these trustees for their support, their counsel and their friendship,” Norman said. “Their service to Williams through this Board of Trustees is sincerely appreciated.”

WBU’s trustees are appointed to three-year terms by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

Williams is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.

Photo: WBU trustees and others celebrate the groundbreaking of the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation Wellness Center at Williams Baptist University on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Courtesy of WBU)