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Prof. Steve Watson 
Associate Professor
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Don't be surprised to enter Professor Steve Watson's classroom and be met by Plato, Aristotle, René Descartes or John Locke. To make his teaching come alive, Watson has appeared in wigs, togas and various outfits to "be" the philosopher he is teaching at the time.
Watson loves ideas. He is fascinated with the reading, hearing and sharing of ideas. Early in his life, he learned theological ideas and later enjoyed exploring concepts in ethics, logic and science. Wanting to share the excitement of his ideas led him into the teaching profession. Watson says he is "convinced that education is the most vital thing a society and nation accomplishes," with people being its most vital natural resource.
In the classroom, Watson uses illustrations from his experiences as a tennis professional and head BC men's tennis coach, to stress a point. Often in teaching New Testament, he refers to values that have sprung out of his commitment to his family. "Experiencing health issues, having run a small business, working for large corporations," says Watson, "all lend credibility to a philosopher, where the chief vocational hazard is using vocabulary accused of being so abstract or vague."
Watson has developed many close relationships with colleagues as well as students. He says developing quality relationships is much more likely in a small liberal arts college than in a large university. One of those friendships has come full circle. Soon after joining the BC faculty, one of his students was Steve Agee. In May 2009, Agee's son, Zachary - also a student of Watson's - graduated from BC. Both families have developed a friendship that has lasted many years.
From 2000 - 2006, Watson served as College coordinator of the Ethics Bowl, sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. He also served as director of the College's Personal Development Portfolio Program from 1996 - 2001.
In 1993, Watson was the recipient of the Martha B. Thornton Faculty Recognition Award presented by the College. The award recognizes "faculty members who have been both talented and dedicated, providing caring concern for their students well beyond their roles as teachers."
Watson completed his undergraduate work from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., and earned a master of divinity degree in biblical studies from Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. He completed additional graduate work at Emory University in Atlanta. |
