While Dr. Jonathan Watt is one of the busiest professors at Geneva College, teaching courses in biblical studies, English, Greek, linguistics, anthropology, sociolinguistics, history and religious ministry to undergraduate, honors, adult and online students while serving as the Chair of the Department of Biblical Studies, Ministries and Philosophy, he is also one of the most beloved faculty members on campus. Students and alumni regularly expound on the Impact Dr. Watt has had on their education, career, faith and life.

Communication major Celia Harris says, “There are a great number of students who actually wish that Dr. Watt was their dad! He is a brilliant man with an incredible knowledge, but more than that, he knows a lot of his students personally and makes it his mission to engage them. Because he wants his students to learn, he approaches his lessons with an attitude of wonder and excitement, which channel to his classes.  I see Dr. Watt almost every day and he always has something witty and uplifting to share.”

Dr. Watt also serves as a mentor and advisor for students. He comments, “I often help students in their personal crises. A couple of us from the department will meet with a student and perhaps a few of the students’ close friends to pray and plan together. I also collaborate with the counseling center as much as possible to help students.”

Dr. Watt took a long route to get to Geneva College. He was born in Sydney, Australia, and was raised in various parts of England, Australia, the United States and Hong Kong before permanently immigrating to the U.S. in 1967. He got his U.S. citizenship in 1975, and graduated with a B.S. in Magazine Journalism from Syracuse University in 1978. The journalism degree was intended to serve as a precursor to medicine or ministry – and ministry won out.

This route that was also part of his journey of faith into the Reformed tradition. Dr. Watt explains that he grew up Congregational, and was drawn to the Reformed tradition through an RPCNA church in Syracuse, NY. “They modeled thoughtful faith: real thinking plus deep faith, and I really liked that (and was ‘tamed’ by it).  I saw a reflective depth and love in them, and it, and those qualities drew me in warmly.”

And so the course of his life was changed. He came to western Pennsylvania for higher education – earning his M.Div. from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1982 and then a M.A. in Linguistics in 1987 and a Ph.D. in Linguistics in 1995, both from the University of Pittsburgh. While serving as a pastor, he started teaching at Geneva College in 1994 – 21 years ago. And in 2000, 15 years ago, he started teaching at Geneva full time.

While he loves teaching, it was actually a tough decision to go into education full time because he also loved pastoring. “But I guess education is in my blood,” he explains.  “My father was a professor for 60 years. My mom was a preschool teacher for 30 years. We are an educational institution kind of family.”  His father, Trevor Watt, retired just a couple of years ago from teaching religion courses at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

If the Jonathan Watt of 1974 met the Jonathan Watt of today, he would not be totally surprised.  Dr. Watt comments that the younger man would say, “He’s a lot like his dad.” 

Students often talk about the Impact that Dr. Watt has had on them, and when asked about the Impact that students have had on him, he doesn’t hesitate. “It may sound cliché, but I feel like I’m privileged to have a kind of back-and-forth dialogue with them. I enjoy seeing the light go on, seeing them make connections. The fact that they are willing to listen to what I’m saying means a lot. We respect and consider each other’s perspectives.

The Impact is long term, with many alumni reporting that he has influenced them well beyond their college years. Laura (Capper ’07) DePietro, who now works in the Institutional Advancement Office of Geneva, says, “Having Dr. Watt as my Bible professor while a student at Geneva was a great experience. The way he taught made the stories of the Old Testament come alive, and had a big impact on my understanding and appreciation for them which I have carried with me beyond the classroom and into life."

Dr. Watt, a well-traveled man who was raised around the world, made his home with his wife June on College Hill.  His four adult children, including his granddaughter who will soon be 2 years old, are all in the greater Pittsburgh area, just a short drive from his home.

The Geneva students are special, he says. “I once heard someone describe them as having certain sweetness. This isn’t true in all cases, of course, but in most, there is an approachability, an honesty and a sweetness that I really enjoy.”

And from all indications, the students know that Dr. Watt enjoys them, cares about them and cares what’s going on in their lives. That’s why he’s the professor whose story shares the Impact of a Geneva education in two new Geneva College commercials (geneva.edu/impact). It’s only fitting; after all, Jonathan Watt is a Geneva professor of Impact.

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