Former provost dies

Faculty reflect on life of influential academic leader

Provost Emeritus Dr. Boyd Rist, who served the university for 40 years, died Sunday, Sept. 14, at the age of 68 after battling multiple myeloma
and leukemia.

Starting at Liberty in 1973, Rist wore a number of different hats, including professor of history, chair of the division of social sciences, associate dean and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, dean of the faculty, vice president for academic affairs and provost. Rist was also named senior academic consultant to the provost after stepping down from his provost position to receive cancer treatments.

Rist, during the early days of being provost, worked extensively on Liberty’s accreditation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges.

Dr. Emily Heady, dean of the College of General studies and professor of English, explained that Rist has left a major impact on the university through his work.

“His influence on this university is vast,” Heady said. “He presided over a number of initiatives that have literally changed the way we do business. When he came, we were a small Bible college. On his watch, though, we became a full-blown liberal arts university with a national reputation.”

President Jerry Falwell called Rist one of the central people involved in shaping the university from its beginnings.

“He really was one of the pivotal figures and key people that has made Liberty what it is today,” Falwell said. “… He was one of Liberty’s finest faculty members, and he served Liberty well for 40 years. We’re deeply indebted to him.”

During his time as senior academic consultant to the provost, Rist worked closely with Dr. Ronald Godwin, who is currently Liberty’s senior provost. According to Godwin, Rist was a “completely trustworthy, dependable senior leader.”

In addition to those who knew him in a professional capacity, Dr. David Beck, a professor of philosophy, worked with Rist at Liberty since 1978. According to Beck, Rist was a “brilliant” man who possessed all the appropriate characteristics for each of his different positions.

“I think he combined all of the important qualities of an administrator at a Christian institution,” Beck said. “… He had a good understanding of what it was to be a Christian university. He understood what it was to be a university. He was a great administrator, … (and he also) understood what it was to be a faculty member. … I think, to me, he embodied what it was to live life as an academician who was a Christian.”

To Ruth Ferrell, currently the assistant to the dean of the College of General Studies, Rist was more than an administrator. Rist became a good friend to Ferrell during the 19 and a half years she spent as his assistant.

“We just got to know each other so well,” Ferrell said. “… We were just a good team.”

According to Ferrell, Rist was “a loving gentleman” and “a caring person” who loved his job.

“He cared about his deans,” Ferrell said. “He cared about the faculty. He cared about the staff. Whenever they needed him or needed to talk to him, if he couldn’t see them that day, we would make sure that we would set up an appointment for when he would be available. He was always willing to hear what they had to say.”

Even after he began chemotherapy treatments, Rist continued to work at the university. He never complained about his health and never asked for special attention during that time, according to Ferrell.

“He was so tough,” Ferrell said.

Heady also spoke highly of Rist’s character.

“Dr. (Harold) Willmington (dean of Liberty’s Willmington School of the Bible) once described him as a man ‘in whom there was no guile,’” Heady said. “I think that is a very good description. He lived honestly, and he conducted himself with integrity.”

Falwell, like Beck, Ferrell and Heady, was also able to experience Rist in a more personal role. During the 1980s, Rist was Falwell’s history teacher. According to Falwell, he will continue to remember Rist’s impact on his life.

“It was just that academic rigor (of his classes) that prepared me for law school,” Falwell said. “… He was very serious in the classroom, but as soon as class was over, he was very personable, very friendly, just a quality person in every way.”

Rist is survived by his wife, Norma Jean, and his daughter, Emily Ruth.

BROWN is the editor-in-chief