With fear and trembling I walked into Dr. Buswell’s !st year Greek class on the semesters  first day of class.  Within five minutes my fears had evaporated and I knew intuitively that I would be taught by a friendly and tremendously capable professor of the Greek language.  Such an amazingly easygoing manner, such overriding confidence and yet both of those traits were coupled with a humility that I had never seen in any other person of such accomplishment;  I believe any other person ever.  At once Dr. Buswell, made one feel, important, relaxed, welcome, and capable.  At the same time he was all business;   he knew exactly what he was about, why we were there, and the fears we had, facing a new language, and GREEK at that.  He got us all right into the program, and never, during the three semesters that I was privileged to be one of his students, did he ever seem to doubt that we all could do well.  He was always dressed professionally yet was as relaxed as if he were among close friends, which I suspect in his own way he always was.  If you visited him in his office to clarify an assignment or ask him a question, you would nearly always find him studying the Greek New Testament, but he would immediately look up, invite you in, and answer your need—you never waited for Dr. Buswell—he was there for you.  I worked hard in the course and I did well, but he – he made it fun. He made it fun because he was fun, never taking things too seriously, always ready with a quip or a story to make his point.  I have never had a teacher so capable, or met a person more likeable.  He was also a minister of The Prince of Peace, and I am sure he loves his Savior very much.

 

Dave Owen Class of ‘73