Williams Baptist College has announced the hiring of Rodney Harris to its history faculty.  Harris, a native of neighboring Randolph County, will begin teaching at WBC this fall.

“Dr. Harris is a perfect fit for Williams.  His teaching credentials, his commitment to the liberal arts traditions, and commitment to his Christian faith all made his application rise to the top,” said Jerry Gibbens, chair of WBC’s Division of Arts and Sciences, who headed the search process.

Harris is completing his Ph.D. in history at the University of Arkansas and plans to graduate this year.  His doctoral dissertation is entitled, “Divided Saints: Democratic Factions in the 1874 Arkansas Constitutional Convention.”

He earned his master’s degree in history from the University of Central Arkansas, and he has a bachelor’s in political science with a minor in history from Arkansas State University.

Harris also worked for 10 years as a real estate broker in Pocahontas, and he was named one of the 25 Outstanding Young Executives in Northeast Arkansas.

“My family and I are thrilled about this opportunity to come back ‘home’ to Northeast Arkansas and to Williams,” Harris said.  “I am looking forward to becoming a part of the WBC community.”

Harris and his wife, Kristi, have two sons.  He is the son of Carl and JoAnn Harris of Maynard.

Williams is a four-year, liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge.