Dr. Bob Ellis Named Dean of the Logsdon School of Theology

Dr. Robert “Bob” Ellis was named Dean of the Logsdon School of Theology effective Feb. 1, 2018. Ellis was named Interim Dean for Logsdon last August after the retirement of Dr. Don Williford.

Both faculty and area ministers have affirmed Ellis’ exemplary leadership in this role. President Eric Bruntymer also praised his character and commitment.

“In my time at HSU, I’ve found Dr. Ellis to be a humble leader with brilliant skill in teaching scripture,” he said. “His faith in Christ is steadfast, and his love for the church helps shape ministers in such a way that embraces fearless compassion for all of God’s creation. His appointment is one in which we should all take pride as he embodies the educational preparedness, leadership, and faith we would wish for all who graduate from HSU.”

Dr. Ellis holds the Phillips Professorship in Old Testament and Hebrew. He graduated from Hardin-Simmons in 1977, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in religion and a minor in philosophy.

Ellis also graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, receiving the Master of Divinity in 1981 and the Doctor of Philosophy in 1989, with a major in Old Testament and minors in New Testament and ethics. He spent two years (1992-1993 and 2000-2001) in post-doctoral study at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.

Ellis began his ministry career as the pastor of Forestburg Baptist Church in Forestburg, Texas, serving from 1980 to 1984. He joined the faculty of HSU in 1984 and then moved to the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 1986. He returned to HSU in 1996, where he has served since as a faculty member and administrator in seminary programs.

He also serves as Logsdon Seminary’s liaison to the Association of Theological Schools and on the editorial board of the Review & Expositor journal. He is the author of “Learning to Read Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar,” published by Baylor Press in 2006, and of numerous articles in books, dictionaries, and professional journals.

Ellis frequently ministers in churches as a preacher and Bible conference leader and has engaged in mission projects in Brazil, Romania, England, China, Nigeria, and South Africa. His passions are following Christ, his family, teaching, serving the church, baseball, fly fishing, and travel.