William Weaver, Ph.D., Appointed Director of Great Texts

“Baylor is blessed with many capable academic leaders,” said Douglas Henry, Ph.D., dean of the Honors College. “In his noteworthy record of teaching, scholarship, and service, Dr. Weaver has demonstrated himself equal to the high expectations we set for ourselves. I’m grateful for his willingness to provide leadership for one of our celebrated Honors College programs. He will build upon the impressive contributions of his predecessors, marshal a splendid faculty around a magnificent curriculum, and ensure our students receive a truly exemplary education in the light of Christ.”

Weaver steps into this role after 16 years of service to the Honors College where he has a long history of teaching and mentoring students. In addition to teaching, he has supervised 12 honors theses to completion, and served as Assistant Director for University Scholars for seven years.

“Throughout my years in the Honors College, I’ve seen students gain a larger perspective on their studies and their pursuits through the study of Great Texts,” Weaver said. “I often hear from students how their time in these texts remains with them long after they have graduated. As I step into this new role, I’m thrilled to be able to guide this program so more students can continue to be transformed by these great works.”

In this role, Dr. Weaver will provide vision, leadership, and oversight for Great Texts faculty, help to recruit and mentor students, and work to strengthen the academic unit as a whole.

“As a faculty member, I have been encouraged so much by my colleagues Phil Donnelly and Scott Moore,” Weaver said. “I’m hopeful that I can get to know my colleagues even better through their scholarship and work, and that I can provide them with the same kind of encouragement I have so generously received.”

Originally from Tennessee, Weaver earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and Classics from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Arts and a Master of Philosophy in Comparative Literature from Columbia University, and his Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Weaver is the author of Homer in Wittenberg: Rhetoric, Scholarship, Prayer as well as two other books and a host of articles on rhetoric, poetry, and the classical tradition in the Renaissance.

“As a scholar, I try to understand what it is we do when we read a literary text and what's special about literary texts, what development happens cognitively and emotionally when we read them,” Weaver said. “The Great Texts have stories to tell, and my work tries understand how we can best read these works.”

Dean Henry would like to thank Phil Donnelly for providing 12 years of admirable stewardship and service to Great Texts. Donnelly will continue his teaching, research, and other service responsibilities within the Honors College once he completes his leadership role at the end of May.