(Walnut Ridge, Ark.) – The ribbon has been cut and Belle Hall, the newest residential facility at Williams Baptist College, was officially dedicated Friday, December 1. The ceremony was held at the conclusion of Williams’s regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting.

The 43-bed women’s residence hall has been housing students throughout the fall semester.

“Belle Hall is not only necessary and useful for our growing campus, it is also beautiful. The wonderful facility elevates our entire campus, and we are blessed by the new structure,” said Dr. Kenneth Startup, interim president at Williams.

Cutting the ribbon. Left to right: Melanie McKuin (sophomore from Dexter, Mo.), Charles Snapp (mayor of Walnut Ridge), Lesa Walter (Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce), J.R. Cox (chairman of Williams board of trustees), John Thomison (Lawrence County judge), Jim Tom Butler, C.L. Clark (Clark General Contractors), Connie Belle Butler, Lois Ann Butler, Corbet Clark (Clark General Contractors), Jeff Herron (Brackett-Krennerich Architects), Dr. Kenneth Startup (Williams interim president), Tony Conley (director of Williams physical plant), Gabby Dixon (director of women’s residence), Ashley Lyons (junior from Vilonia, Ark.).

Belle Hall was made possible in part by a $500,000 gift from the Jim Tom Butler family of Harrisburg. Butler has been a member of the Williams Board of Trustees, and his family has supported the college for many decades. The name for Belle Hall comes from his wife, Connie Belle Butler, and her family, and has a rich history that extends many generations.

“The Butler family’s support and generosity for this institution reaches back decades. Now, the latest expression of their support and generosity carries the Butler family legacy into future generations. We are deeply, profoundly grateful.”

Members of the Butler family, local elected officials, and Williams board members were present at the dedication.

The $2.3 million project was constructed by Clark General Contractors of Walnut Ridge, and Brackett-Krennerich & Associates Architects of Jonesboro designed the building.

Williams is a Christian, liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge, Ark. It will formally become Williams Baptist University in July of 2018.