WFMI's Mike Chandler Receives Honorary Doctorate

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, July 20, 2026 | 3:29pm CT

L-R: Bishop Stan Williams, Mike Chandler, and Academic Dean Dr. Van Gayton

Mike Chandler, President and CEO of Rejoice Networks and owner of WFMI-FM (REJOICE 100.9) in Virginia Beach, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Communication by The Williams Bible Institute and Seminary. The honor recognizes Chandler's three-decade career in broadcast engineering and gospel media, as well as his contributions to Christian communications and gospel broadcasting.

A Jacksonville, FL native, Chandler studied at Florida State University before beginning his career as an engineer on NASA's Space Shuttle Program at Kennedy Space Center. He later transitioned into broadcasting, joining Willis Broadcasting in Virginia Beach as a corporate engineer under the late Bishop Willis.

Chandler went on to build what is now Rejoice Networks, formerly the REJOICE! Musical Soul Food Gospel Radio Network, and today oversees the company's operations while also owning WFMI-FM (REJOICE 100.9). He currently leads the network's expansion into digital and streaming media.

"I didn't plan on any of this -- I just wanted to keep the signal clear, first on a rocket, then on a radio tower," Chandler said. "I'm grateful to Bishop Stan Williams and Dr. Dee Williams for this."

Chandler resides in Maryland with his wife, April.