Covenant College - Tartan Yearbook (Lookout Mountain, GA)

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DEDICATION Because we appreciate the fine example set for us by his life, we proudly dedicate the 1964 TARTAN to Dr. R. Laird Harris, Professor of Old Testament. Dr. Harris graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and a scholarship for two more years of study at Washington University. However, he never completed those two years. During the spring, the Lord interrupted Dr. Har- ris's life and changed its course. After hearing a missionary speak at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, he answered an appeal by telling the Lord that he was willing to become a missionary, but he did not feel sure that this was the Lord's will. Two weeks later a visit- ing minister preached on the text in l Corinthians 9:16: Yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel l Deeply burdened by the call specifically for ministers, Dr. Harris decided that the minis- try must be the place God had for him. During a long walk in the night rain, as he made plans he realized that his life had been abruptly and com- pletely changed. The next fall, he entered Westminster Theolog- ical Seminary, where he received his Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theology degrees. At the University of Pennsylvania, he earned his Mas- ter of Arts degree in Oriental Studies, and in 1947, his Ph.D. degree at Dropsie College. Dur- ing the summer of 1935, he accepted the tempor- ary pastorate of the Francis Makemie Presbyter- ian Church in Snow Hill, Maryland. There he met and worked with Elizabeth Nelson, who was busy

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.. ll .8 i with the young peoples group of the church, and whom he married in 1937. Since that time, he has been active in and dedi- cated to the Lord's work. For nineteen years he taught at Faith Theological Seminary, moving to St. Louis to begin teaching at Covenant Seminary in 1956. In 1962, the Harris family went to the Holy Land, where Dr. Harris served as director of the Near East School of Archaeology for three months. The family was gone six months, tour- ing the Mediterranean, helping at Dr. joseph Free's excavation at Dothan in the spring, and participating in the School of Archaeology during the summer months. g During his years in the ministry, Dr. Harris has written and published extensively, including two books, an Introductory Hebrew Grammar, and Inspiration and Canonirity of the Bible. Dr. and Mrs. Harris and their three children- Grace, who attended Covenant for a year and a half, and will be graduated from Calvin College this fune, and Allegra and Robert Laird, junior and sophomore in high school-have made their home on Faculty Row a vital part of academic and social life at Covenant. Everyone is happy to have Dr. Harris as a part of the Covenant family. His engaging sense of humor, fine scholarship, and personal interest in his students make him a valuable asset to our school. We dedicate the yearbook to you, Dr. Har- ris, and thank you for your contributions to the school as a whole and to each of the students.