Baptist university to get new leader

Williams Baptist University’s new president will start as early as next month.

The university’s board of trustees named Stan Norman of Durant, Okla., as president. Norman replaces Tom Jones, who served as the university’s leader for five and a half years before taking a position at the California Baptist Foundation last fall, according to a news release. He is set to begin April 2, the news release said.

“I want to meet and get acquainted with the faculty, staff, students and alumni,” he said in a prepared statement. “I also want to learn in greater depth the story and legacy of the mission and vision of WBU. I intend to participate in ‘getting to know you’ events around the state with Arkansas Baptists and WBU alums and friends.”

Norman plans to start a “collaborative effort” to create goals for the Walnut Ridge university for the next three to five years, the news release said.

He is coming from Oklahoma Baptist University, where he worked as provost and executive vice president. Norman, who holds a doctorate degree in systematic theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has worked in Baptist higher education since 1996 and has served as a pastor in three Texas churches. education to every child regardless of disabilities and the advancement of technology.

“However, with all the technological advances, it is still that teacher in the classroom that really makes the difference for all the students,” she said.

“Students need that human touch from a teacher who can listen to their concerns, offer consolation in times of despair and share human experiences.”