The Williams Pulse

Big Sip and Mrs. Jessica are joined by special guest Ian Halfacre to run through a loaded week at WBU. They kick things off with a Fight Night UFC watch party in the Grill (with snacks, hot dogs, and a firm reminder: no fighting each other), then hit everything from intramural volleyball and the Lip Sync Battle's People's Choice Award to Preview Day, Chapel with Coach Austin, and softball receiving Top 25 votes. The crew also celebrates Gabe Dernberger's historic perfect game — the first in school history and first in the NAIA since 2017 — and shouts out Matthew Russell's national wrestling tournament appearance and the Eagles basketball players who made the All-Tournament team. Plus, Mrs. Jessica drops the Spring Formal theme (Flyest Eagles — suits, sneakers, and sparkles on April 16th), teases the upcoming Touch Grass and Throw Hands inflatable battle event, a murder mystery party on March 19th, and a free Grace Graber concert on April 17th.

This week on The Williams Pulse: SAB Edition, Drake Lewis, Jessica Colley, and guest cohost Owen Knight walk you through everything happening at Williams—from intramural volleyball and prayer night as midterms kick off, to chapel with the WBU Singers, National Cheese Doodle Day celebrations, and a full weekend of WBU Baseball vs. Hannibal-LaGrange. They also break down the upcoming Lip Sync Battle in Startup Chapel, with over $300 in prizes, a two-minute time limit, clean tracks only, and five ways to win: Overall Winner, Best Costumes, Best Choreography, Most Creative/Wild Card, and People’s Choice.

In this Pulse Check episode of The Williams Pulse, Campus Therapist Taylor Jeffery sits down with Dr. Denny Vowell, chair of the Psychology Department at Williams Baptist University, to talk about mental health, calling, and the hope they see in today’s students. Dr. Vowell shares how God led him from community mental health work into the classroom, why anxiety and loneliness are so prevalent on campus, and how college is really a season of “adulting light” where students still need support. Together, they unpack common myths about counseling—especially the idea that it’s only for crisis—offer a simple “five-session” framework for trying therapy, and explain how the WBU community walks with students as they grow, heal, and discover who God is calling them to be.
Learn more about the Psychology Department: https://williamsbu.edu/psychology
Learn more about counseling at WBU: https://williamsbu.edu/counseling/
 

In this SAB takeover of The Williams Pulse, Big Sip and Jessica are joined by Bill for a fast-paced walk through everything happening at WBU this week—from chaotic Threads feeds to serious campus fun.
They shout out the new SAB leadership team and a SAB reel, then preview two free music events in Startup Chapel: a guest recital with soprano Sarah VandenBrink and TJ Bedgood’s long-awaited senior recital.
You’ll also hear details about the National Civil Rights Museum trip to Memphis, including how to register, and what it costs.
Plus, the crew runs down intramural volleyball, Prayer Night’s new time, a full slate of home baseball and softball doubleheaders, and a fun behind-the-scenes story about Coach Abenathy, Moneyball, and dreaming big about lights at Shell Field.

In this Real Talk episode of The Williams Pulse, Head Baseball Coach Stephen Abanathy shares why relationships and responsibility sit at the center of how he coaches, recruits, and leads at Williams.​
From growing up a pastor’s kid in the Missouri bootheel and getting humbled at a Division I program, to finding home at Williams and later returning as head coach, Coach Abanathy reflects on what it takes to invest in that many student-athletes without losing the personal touch. He talks about walking with players through family loss, challenging them to get off their phones and have real conversations, and relying on a strong group of team captains to create a true “all-in” locker room.​
Along the way, he also opens up about his work as a Jonesboro police officer, how recruiting has shifted to Twitter and national showcases, and why he wants his players to leave Williams as dependable men, husbands, and leaders—not just better ballplayers.

This week on The Williams Pulse Podcast: SAB Edition, hosts Sip and Miss Jessica are joined by guest host Nevaeh Larkins to share all the excitement happening at Williams Baptist University! From honoring Black History Month with incredible events—like the JHS step team performance, the Night of Delta Blues concert featuring Little Willie Farmer, and a road trip to the National Civil Rights Museum—to a packed week of campus happenings, there’s something for everyone.
They’ll also chat about the upcoming Preview Day, sports showdowns, and student favorites like the Hall Wars Burger Battle, intramural volleyball, and Prayer Night. Tune in for all the energy, laughs, and insider details from SAB and Student Affairs, and don’t forget to grab your tickets, register for events, and show up for your fellow Eagles this week! 
Sign up for Preview Day: https://williamsbu.edu/preview/
 

Season 7, Episode 6 of The Williams Pulse (SAB Edition) is your weekly guide to what’s happening on campus at Williams Baptist University.
Sip and Mrs. Jessica are joined by guest host Kaedynce Miller, ARD for Women’s Residence Life, to highlight Galentine’s—a ladies-only pajama party celebrating friendship with food, crafts, karaoke, a DIY bouquet bar, giveaways, and an exclusive Williams Corner discount.
We also cover:
The Big Game Watch Party this Sunday in the Grill
Intramural volleyball and Prayer Night in Manley Chapel
Chapel with Mitch Mathis, Athletic Director at WBU
A Miss WBU interest meeting and Lunch & Learn
Basketball games featuring the Jonesboro High School Step Team as part of Black History Month
A full slate of baseball and basketball action
And a look ahead to the upcoming blues concert with Little Willie Farmer in Startup Chapel
Plus, don’t miss a short Pulse Check trailer featuring campus therapist Taylor Jeffery and Dean of Students Laquietta Stewart, reflecting on what makes WBU such a formative and caring place to be.
🎧 This has been—and will continue to be—The Williams Pulse.

In this Pulse Check episode of The Williams Pulse, host Taylor Jeffery sits down with Dean of Students Laquietta Stewart to talk about what makes Williams Baptist University feel less like an institution and more like a community that truly walks with you. Through stories from her 27 years in education and her own experience as a first-generation college student, Dean Stewart shares how WBU surrounds students with people who listen, challenge, and care in ways many never expected but deeply need.
Together, Taylor and Dean Stewart unpack how roles across campus — from Student Affairs to counseling to residence life and beyond — work together to support the whole student. They talk about identity, academic struggle, major changes, pressure, grace, and why it is completely normal to still be figuring out who you want to be. Along the way, Dean Stewart reflects on why she came back to WBU, why “this place is special… it’s like no other,” and what she hopes every student remembers long after they graduate: that they went to a college that really cared about them and wanted the best for them.
If this conversation resonates and you’d like someone to talk with, students can schedule a free counseling appointment with Taylor by visiting williamsbu.edu/counseling

In this Pulse Check episode of the Williams Pulse Podcast, host Taylor Jeffery, WBU Campus Therapist, welcomes Dr. Ruth Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs and former Psychology Department Chair.Their conversation blends neuroscience, counseling, and faith as they unpack what really happens in the brain during stress, how neuroplasticity supports healing, and why resilience is both biological and spiritual.Learn how understanding the brain strengthens mental health, personal growth, and the believer’s walk with Christ.If you'd like to schedule a consultation with Taylor, please visit: https://williamsbu.edu/counseling/

Snow days and Spy Week made for a chaotic start to the week at Williams Baptist University—and the SAB team is here to recap it all. In this episode of The Williams Pulse, hosts Big Sip and Mrs. Jessica are joined by guest co-host Rachel Dudley to reflect on Spy Week highlights and walk through what’s coming up next on campus, including the Spring Involvement Fair, Prayer Night, athletic events, the Career Fair, and February highlights like Black History Month events and Galentine’s.
If you want to stay in the loop and plan where to be at WBU, this episode has you covered.