. Top college guides rank university as a one of the best in America again Students' Association to mark 75th anniversary at Homecoming Exchange program in Mexico, Abilene provides real-world, hands-on learning Learning to serve: Welcome Week freshmen take time to help Lectureship 2000 to refocus Christians for God's work in the new millennium Faculty Scholar Profile: Dr. John Willis Cookies, Candy and comedy aside, Willis is a world-reknown scholar Sophomores being challenged by Dr. John Willis to learn facts about Malachi seldom realize he's a nationally recognized scholar on the subject. Tony Roach, a junior marketing management major, had Willis as a teacher for Job through Malachi in the spring - along with 77 other eager undergraduates. "Humor is his best teaching tool," Roach said. "He's the type of teacher who really spends time preparing for class; he knows every little detail. Dr. Willis held study meetings at his house every week. I can't remember a class in which he didn't say 'hello' to every student, call us each by name, and bring cookies for everyone." Dr. Rick Marrs ('73), chair of the religion division at Pepperdine University, also experienced Willis as an undergraduate student at ACU in the early 1970s. "I took Beginning Hebrew as a sophomore, and my experience with Dr. Willis was life-changing," Marrs said. "In his undergraduate courses, he is an outstanding lecturer. Not only was the content superb, but he had this corny sense of humor that made learning seem like fun and games. In his graduate courses, the content was there, but he lost the corny stuff and just plowed ahead. He has extremely high expectations of students." Marrs said that Willis is the reason he began his own Old Testament studies. "No one taught Old Testament the way Dr. Willis did," Marrs said. "He made it come alive. When I was a sophomore, he was one of the most influential people in my life, and he continues to be today." Willis ('55), who began his teaching career at Lipscomb University while studying for his doctorate at Vanderbilt University, was invited to teach at ACU by Dr. Tom Olbricht in 1971 after ACU heard of his interest in coming to Abilene. Olbricht said Willis is a prolific academic writer and presenter. Since completing his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt with a study of Malachi, Willis has made up to three scholarly presentations per year at regional and national conferences of the Society of Biblical Literature, the American Academy of Religion and the Catholic Biblical Association as well as the International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament. He also has had numerous papers accepted for publication in the most prestigious academic journals, which accept only about 10 percent of the articles submitted to them. Willis' list of published works, including three Bible commentaries and various articles included in collections of essays, is lengthy and impressive. He specializes in Old Testament prophets and poetical literature. "The quality and sheer number of publications by Dr. Willis place him among the top 100 Old Testament scholars in the world," said Olbricht, who retired in 1996 as chair of Pepperdine's religion division and was succeeded by Marrs - a student of both Willis and Olbricht. Willis, ACU Burton Coffman Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies, said he is interested in research and writing because he wants students to feel they know what's really going on in their field. He also wants to help them keep up with the scholars they'll need to meet in the future. "I've been blessed through attending professional meetings to get to know these scholars, both nationally and abroad," Willis said. "It's important that these individuals know ACU when our students apply to graduate school. When they know us, students are more likely to get accepted into their programs. They know ACU graduates can succeed." ACU undergraduates have a high acceptance rate into graduate programs across the country, and graduate students have succeeded in some of the toughest and most prestigious doctoral programs in the world. In the biblical studies arena, Willis' challenging classes and his relationships with scholars around the world play a part in students' future success. And even more important to Willis and his wife, Evelyn (Forrest '56), they help students succeed in life as well as in college. Willis, who has served as an elder at Highland Church of Christ since 1976, currently teaches newly married couples, along with Evelyn, and he acts as the resident "candy man" for all the children. Willis shrugs off any praise about his many accomplishments, but he seems to have a special place in his heart for one honor bestowed upon him by Marrs and two renowned scholars. The honor is in the form of a book titled, "Worship and the Hebrew Bible: Essays in Honor of John T. Willis." In the world of academia, former students and colleagues of a respected scholar show their greatest respect by creating a collection of essays and presenting it to the person on his 65th birthday. His personal copy of the book, inscribed by all three editors, was presented to Willis at a national conference and again at ACU's Bible Lectureship. And yet, despite the honors and achievements, students such as Roach just know him for his warm, compassionate, tough teaching and his corny sense of humor. And, of course, for his cookies. - MICHELLE MORRIS Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4
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		Last Update: Sept. 17, 1999 Page maintained by Jeremy Parish, parishj@nicanor.acu.edu Questions to Ron Hadfield, hadfieldr@nicanor.acu.edu http://www.acu.edu/acu-today/fall99/news03.html