50 Faithful Years – Dr. Wilbur Williams Honored in Chapel

50-Years of Teaching at IWU
50-Years of Service at IWU | Honored in Chapel

After 50 faithful years of teaching at Indiana Wesleyan University, Dr. Wilbur Williams will be retiring at the end of the Spring 2017 semester. We invite you to join us on Monday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. for a special chapel service as we honor Wilbur and his many years of service.

Wilbur joined the IWU faculty in 1967. As a professor of biblical literature and archaeology, he has become one of the most well-known and beloved professors in IWU history. Many students have studied under him in Old Testament Survey where he has been known to dress up as biblical characters to illustrate a point. He has taught over 17,250 students throughout his career and has been elected Professor of the Year eight times. For the past 22 years, he has donated his time being compensated $1.00 a year for his teaching.

Wilbur Williams as King DavidWilbur is also known for his 40-year involvement in archaeological excavations in Israel and North Africa. He would often take as many as four or five groups of people with him to do archaeological work or tour various Bible lands throughout Israel. Altogether, he has been to Israel 156 times and was honored by the Ministry of Tourism in Israel for his many trips to the Holy Land.

The Williams’ Prayer Chapel is a tangible legacy Wilbur and his wife, Ardelia, have left on the IWU campus. The chapel came from the Williams’ vision to create a place for students to experience solitude with the Lord. The building now stands amongst the academic buildings as a quiet place for students to grow in their faith.

Wilbur has been a part of IWU for generations. He has been a student, an alumnus, a scholar, a teacher, a donor, a mentor and an encourager. Let us join together to thank him for the unmistakable role he has played at IWU.

Message provided by the Office of the President, Indiana Wesleyan University.

Over the years Dr. Wilbur Williams has dressed up in a variety of biblical characters.

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