Ouachita Stories

“Also, because the Pruet School teaches Bible courses required for all Ouachita undergraduates,” Sells added, “he’s dedicated to equipping our students for a Christian witness in a variety of careers.”

The Pruet School, over its 22-year history as one of Ouachita’s academic schools, has achieved significant growth, developed innovative programs and benefited from a major renovation and expansion of its academic facilities. The faculty excel as effective classroom teachers, passionate ministers and respected academicians. Their nearly 50 published books are used by thousands of college students, ministers and lay people across the nation and internationally.

“As a student, Jeremy was outstanding, and he has grown to become a very gifted scholar, teacher and leader,” said Dr. Terry Carter, associate dean of the Pruet School. Carter has served at Ouachita for 30 years. “In addition, he is a committed believer who will model Pruet’s vision of preparing the next generation of Christian ministers and missionaries for the church.”

Greer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biblical studies from Ouachita in 1998, followed by a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2002 and Ph.D. from B.H. Carroll Theological Institute in 2014. He has served in various teaching, committee and course development roles at Ouachita, B.H. Carroll and East Texas Baptist University since 2007. He most recently served at ETBU as associate professor of Christian ministry, director of ministry guidance and director of church relations. Greer also has served in ministry roles at several churches in Arkansas and Texas.

“Dr. Greer’s varied experiences have prepared him well for the multi-faceted dean’s role,” said Dr. Stan Poole, vice president for academic affairs. “His academic work as a New Testament scholar and outstanding teaching skills and administrative experience in higher education have prepared him to lead the Pruet School in a new era, while his ministry experience has given him a deep understanding of the local church’s needs and opportunities.”

Other members of the search committee affirmed the appointment, as well.

“Dr. Greer will bring scholarship, humble leadership, pastoral care and vision to the role of dean,” said Anna Rosenthal, a 2015 Pruet School graduate. Rosenthal went on to seminary and has served as assistant director of campus ministries and adjunct instructor of Christian studies at Ouachita.

“Dr. Greer is dedicated to helping college students grow into the men and women that God is calling them to be,” said Ouachita Resident Director Quantel Williams. Williams was Greer’s student at ETBU for both undergrad and graduate studies. “Dr. Greer helped me to find my voice as the only African American student in the class. I admired his ability to create a sense of belonging amongst social groups while encouraging diversity of thought. He cultivated a positive atmosphere in class where students could thrive and flourish academically.”

Jeremy’s wife, Merrilee Shoemaker Greer, also a Ouachita alum, serves in Ouachita’s Office of Campus Ministries. They returned to Arkadelphia with their four children, Raegan, Graham, Sydney and Cole.

“To borrow from Paul's letter to the Ephesians,” Dr. Greer said, “God has provided blessing to me and my family ‘immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.’ Thanks be to God who has once again lived up to his word!”

 

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Meet Dr. Greer

Hometown:
Conway, Ark.

Favorite time of day:
There is something special about a quiet house in the early morning hours. The pre-dawn and dawn hours when the world starts to wake up are a delight to experience.

What's changed the most at Ouachita since my student days:
The obvious changes are the new buildings. It would be hard to play the old frisbee golf course I enjoyed way too many times as a student.

What's changed the least:
To me, the atmosphere, or culture, or environment— whatever word best describes it—still remains. Here at Ouachita, you are known and valued. I felt that as a student. I feel it now.

Favorite team (other than the Tigers):
Green Bay Packers

Best advice I ever received:
When I was 16 and was about to go to work on my first day of my first job, my dad pointed me to Colossians 3:23-24. He said, “Son, remember that you are not working for the boss or even the paycheck. You are working for the Lord.” This notion that sweeping a warehouse floor with excellence could be an act of worship has never left my mind.

Favorite board game:
My current favorite is Splendor: Marvel, but I am ready to play Settlers of Catan or King of Tokyo anytime.

Something people would be surprised to know about me:
I never considered myself to be very emotional, but I guess having children enlarged my heart or something. All that to say, I have become a bit of cry-baby, especially watching certain movies.

Right now, I'm reading:
A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene Peterson by Winn Collier; Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward by Nabeel Qureshi; Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren; The State of New Testament Studies, edited by Scot McKnight and Nijay Gupta

Three words that describe me best:
idealistic, loyal, goober (my children would concur)

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