The Williams Baptist College campus is coming to life after fall athletic teams and student staff made their return to campus late last week. Other student leaders will continue to move back to WBC in preparation for the new semester, which officially begins with the first day of class Tuesday, August. 22.

Freshmen will move into residence halls this Friday and begin their orientation program, known as Ascend 2017.

Athletes in women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and cheerleading have moved into the dormitories and started preseason workouts. Residence hall staff have also arrived, and they are underway with their training, as well.

“This is my favorite time of each school year, when the work of our enrollment management and student services teams over the last several months comes to fruition, and we see the arrival of new and returning students to campus for the new school year. It is such a joy to see the campus return to life after summer break,” said Dr. Jeremy Dutschke, vice president for enrollment management and student services at Williams.

All other students move into residence halls Sunday, August 20.

There will also be a welcome back concert with a purpose August 20, featuring We The Union, a collection of worship leaders from Central Arkansas. The concert will be held in WBC’s Southerland-Mabee Center beginning at 7:00 p.m., and all ticket sales will go toward sending Williams students on mission trips.

Tickets are on sale for $10 per person, or $30 per family (maximum 6 tickets). Tickets can be purchased by contacting Hayes Howell at 870-897-7701, or by email at hhowell@wbcoll.edu. They can also be purchased by visiting http://www.itickets.com/events/369240.html. There is no cost for WBC students to attend.

Classes will begin next Tuesday, and Convocation Chapel will be Wednesday, August 23, at 11 a.m. in the Manley Chapel.