Westmont Magazine Honoring David Hubbard
Two of my roommates and I took Epistles of Paul from Dr. Hubbard. When he assigned a paper, we would go back to our dorm (Frame Cottage) and discuss the topic among ourselves. Then we would go to our separate rooms and write our papers. After writing, we would reconvene, read our papers aloud, and critique each other’s work, looking to turn a phrase or develop a concept that would impress Dr. Hubbard. All three of us put extraordinary effort into our work for that class, and to this day, I still draw on the knowledge that he imparted to us.
As a teacher, David Hubbard challenged his students to perform to their utmost long before “The Pursuit of Excellence” became a watchword.
Thomas F. Graham ’60
I have often said that I learned more my freshman year at Westmont than any other freshman, and I still think that is true. I came to Westmont from high school in Costa Rica as a missionary’s kid and had never written a term paper or been exposed to many of the things my peers had already learned about.
My favorite memory of Dr. Hubbard is related to being a student of his in “History of the Middle East” in my sophomore year. He had assigned a paper on Jewish culture and history, and I somehow misunderstood and wrote it on Jewish culture in the United States instead of Israel. I wondered why the books I needed to use for the paper were so readily available in the library! When I went to turn it in, I realized my mistake. I told Dr. Hubbard that I had written the whole paper on the wrong subject. I didn’t know what to expect, but not for one minute did I think he would say what he did: “That’s all right, you did the research and learned a lot in the process. I’ll take your work and grade it.” I think I got a “B+” on it, which was great in my estimation.
That experience has always encouraged me to give people credit for what they have done, even if it isn’t exactly what you hoped for or expected. He was a great teacher. We all looked forward to his classes and were selfishly saddened when he went to Fuller Seminary. He did come back from Fuller to accompany us on our Senior Sneak. I have many pleasant memories of his teaching and his sponsorship of the class of 1963.
Charlotte Pain Keieter ’63
M y first exposure to Dr. David Hubbard’s scintillating mind and uncompromising integrity was as a student in his Old Testament class at Westmont in 1962-63. I will never forget his coming into class following a mid-term exam, obviously deeply disturbed. It had come to his attention that several students had cheated on the exam, and a Bible test at that.
His words were few, but his demeanor spoke volumes. That day, as an awesome sense of the fear of the Lord filled the classroom, we experienced an unforgettable lesson on the holiness of God. Previously I had been taken with Dr. Hubbard’s charisma; on that occasion I was taken back by his character.
Little did I know then that I would have the privilege of serving as his administrative assistant at Fuller Seminary in 1968-70. I had the unique opportunity of observing him teach in the classroom and administer in the office. He gave me a deep and abiding appreciation for the Old Testament wisdom literature and the prophets and a close-up perspective on balancing the demands and expectations of students, staff, faculty, trustees, and the broader constituencies of the church and community.
His devotion to Christ and His Church, his passion for thinking God’s thoughts after Him, his words and cadences, his wisdom and poise under pressure, and his commitment to excellence have all left an indelible impact on my life. God’s peace to his memory; God’s blessings on his legacy.
Randy Roth ’66