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You are Dean of Logsdon Seminary and Logsdon
School of Theology as well as the Phillips Professor
of Old Testament and Hebrew. What are some new
things you are working on?
As a new Dean, I’m finding there are a plethora
of fresh challenges and opportunities. A good bit
of my effort is focused inward toward the goal of
helping students learn and grow in Christ and in
ministry skills. I try to be a facilitator who helps
set free the remarkable Logsdon faculty to do
what they do best: teach and mentor students. As I
look beyond the campus, I’m joining the effort of
our President and others to develop more robust
connections with ministers and churches in Abilene
and beyond and to create new contexts for students
to engage in experiential learning.
Can you tell us a story from the classroom that has
inspired or moved you?
My favorite times are when the class and I are in
dialogue about some issue, and we are all very
engaged, so that one idea sparks another. Then a
fresh idea comes, something new I’ve never thought
of before, or I’m able to talk about a difficult thing
more clearly than I ever have before. It’s a magical
moment of mutual learning and teaching.
What are you reading?
Jonathan Haidt’s "The Righteous Mind," Arthur
Herman’s "How the Scots Invented the Modern
World," Richard Rohr’s "The Divine Dance," and
Marilynne Robinson’s "Gilead."
How do you relax?
Spending the evening in my favorite chair (or
flat on the couch after really busy days) watching
British mysteries or the Rangers with Teresa (his
wife of 29 years).
Who is (or was) your role model? What did you
learn from them?
My parents are the most important role models
for me. For example, my dad has shown me the
importance of thinking critically for one’s self,
service to others, hard work, humility, sarcastic
humor, and devotion to family. My mom has
modeled for me the confidence to tackle tough jobs,
optimism about life, avoidance of self-pity, the joy
of public speaking, and pastoral care for others.
They both model integrity and love for Christ and
the church.
What do you like to do when you are not in the
classroom?
My favorite thing to do is to chill with Teresa at
home in the evenings. On weekends I enjoy getting
my hands dirty in the yard – it’s therapy for me.
Whenever possible, we love to travel, especially
on long road trips or abroad to new places or old
favorites.
How do your students inspire you?
Three things: when they stick to learning something
hard with grit, and finally master it; when they
are vulnerable enough to let me see how they
are growing in terms of “being,” “knowing,” and
“doing”; and when they excel at doing the ministry
for which they are preparing – like teaching,
preaching, or caring pastorally.
What is your favorite scripture?
It’s tough for a Bible professor to pick the “one”
favorite, so I’ll answer it this way. In these days of
the season after Easter, I find myself most often
repeating this passage in my head: “That I may
know him and the power of his resurrection and
the fellowship of his suffering, being conformed
to his death, so that somehow I may attain the
resurrection from the dead” (Phil 3:10-11).
What is your favorite meal?
Fillet from Perini’s Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap with
Jalapeno bites, zucchini Perini, cowboy potatoes,
and bread pudding for dessert.
What is your favorite thing about HSU?
This place is almost part of my DNA. I moved to
Abilene at age 2 when my father began teaching at
HSU, so I sort of grew up on campus. It’s where my
mom’s grandfather did an M.A. in Philosophy years
ago, where my siblings and I did our bachelor’s
degrees, and where my mom completed an
M.Ed.
I started my teaching career here in 1984-1986 and
have been back on the faculty since 1996. It’s a place
that expects academic excellence in a context of
compassion and deep faith, without arrogance or
self-aggrandizement. I get to work with amazing
faculty and staff colleagues. It’s not like any other
place I’ve ever been. It’s home.
w/ Dr. Robert Ellis
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RANGE RIDER | SPRING-SUMMER 2018