Remembering Dr. Leatherman

Around the middle of September I got an invitation to join a Zoom memorial for a former professor. I was in the thick of preparing for a staff training retreat and the start of the school year, and there was no way I could attend, or even take a moment to remember his impact on my life. So, I'd like to add a few words to the internet tonight for that purpose.

Dr. Donn Leatherman was my religion professor and advisor several years ago. I wasn't sure what to make of him at first. He seemed quite serious, and I wanted to call him Moses because of his long, gray beard, and maybe because my first class from him was Old Testament. However, I was surprised to find him an engaging educator with some fantastic dry humor. My favorite day in that class was when we were studying the Passover. Our only chance at extra credit the whole semester was enduring a bite of horseradish ("bitter herbs") on a piece of matzah bread--in front of the class. While he could have easily left it at that for his own personal enjoyment, he was kind enough to give us a piece of advice that has stuck with me through the years: exhale while you chew until you swallow. That kind piece of advice earned me some extra credit and earned him my full trust and respect. (It's also gotten me through other difficult bites of food over the years).

The first semester back from serving as a student missionary in New Zealand, where I had been doing full-time, practical ministry for a year, I landed in Dr. Leatherman's Greek I class. This was the kind of class where they send you recommended homework a month or two before to help prep you--and I did it. I was intimidated and skeptical. There was no way this was going to help me in a future of helping people. But even in my personal struggle with the class content and purpose, Dr. Leatherman remained one of my heroes. Just a few examples of why:

• His first day of class, he asked us all to write down the name we would like to be called in class. This would help him know how best to refer to us, but he would also draw out the names periodically to have prayer or answer a question. And so...I gave him a name. I figured he wouldn't really use it, but sure enough, one morning I heard "Dr. Keele, would you like to have prayer for us today?" He was dead serious, but I couldn't help but grin, and could somehow tell he appreciated my effort at humor.
• Then there was the day I waited after class for a few minutes to ask if he would teach me how to write/say "The woman is wise" in Koine Greek. He wrote it on the board and told me how to say it and I practiced. It's now about the only phrase I remember well: Soph-ay hay goon-ay
• I don't remember if it was a day or a slow dawning realization that Dr. Leatherman was...a Democrat! This was the South, this was the Theology department, the core of conservativeness! I mean, he almost could have been from another denomination! Although he didn't share a lot of his personal politics, what I learned was that his political values came from his deep care of people. I learned that it was ok to think differently than those around you as you walk out your own faith journey at the voting booth. And I learned that it's ok to talk about it now and then, even if you know others won't fully get it. To be honest, these were some of the early seeds of thought in my own migration down the political line a little more toward the left. (That Intro to Social Work class also probably contributed).

After surviving Greek I (with a fairly decent grade, actually), I decided that whatever career path I chose, it would not include biblical languages. I made an appointment with Dr. Leatherman to talk over what this meant for the rest of my college career. Sitting down in his office, I immediately noticed several books about Lord of the Rings, and especially the ones in Elvish font. Local legend had it that he was an Elvish scholar--he had learned the language, could read it, write it, speak it. I thought that was super cool, even if I couldn't even handle Greek or Hebrew.

Besides that, my memory of that meeting has faded as to the specifics, but I know I went into his office feeling like a failure. I had switched my major too many times, in my opinion, and still had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was basically switching to a degree that didn't lead to a clear career path, to kind of leave my options open (which my parents weren't exactly thrilled about). But I knew I wanted to continue with religion classes, because that was where my heart was--as well as being the quickest path to graduation. But the hope that Dr. Leatherman gave was in his compassionate response to my apologies and frustration with myself. I remember him telling me how many times he had switched his major--a lot--and some of the interesting twists and turns in his life. He encouraged me with his story and the way he lived his life that it was ok for my path in life and in ministry to look a little bit different. I could trust God to use the unique things about me, including multiple major changes, to take me to unique places. (And He has!) It wasn't a long conversation, but it impacted me, and I've often heard myself passing on much of the same wisdom to the college students I get to work with now.

I think I wrote a well-deserved thank-you note to Dr. Leatherman when I graduated, but it's good to remember again and share a little here about his influence on my life, and his unique way of helping me see and trust Jesus in a new way. I'm sure many others could share similar stories from his decades of teaching. It will be good to catch up in Heaven one day and hear some of those stories, and to see if Dr. Leatherman and Moses actually look alike. Until then, I'm grateful to have known him.