As a professor of history at BJU for over 50 years and the primary teacher of History of Civilization — a required Core course — for much of that time, Dr. Edward Panosian taught most of the student body from 1954–2004. Remembered for his deep voice and his quizzes, Panosian held a special place in the hearts of generations.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines legend as “A person of sufficient distinction or achievement to have become widely renowned or talked about, esp. with respect, reverence or awe.” Panosian was a BJU legend. On Aug. 7, 2021, he passed from this world less than two weeks shy of his 91st birthday.
A public viewing will be held from 9 a.m.–noon on Aug. 14 in Stratton Hall — his longtime classroom — at BJU. The funeral will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Stratton Hall and will be streamed at livestream.com/bju. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Bob Jones University or Gospel Fellowship Association.
Remembering a Friend
Edward Miran Panosian (August 19, 1930, to August 7, 2021). Teacher, mentor, friend.
I’ve never known another man with such an unusual combination of personal dignity and Christian humility. (He rode his bicycle in such a dignified way, I doubt he got much exercise value from it. About 40 years ago, he suggested I might call him “Ed” — but I never did.)
As a rough guess, I’d say that perhaps half of all the students who ever matriculated at BJU had him as a teacher, a record that will stand for generations, if not forever.
Back in the day when BJU held devotional Vesper programs on Sunday afternoons, his resonant voice was often used as the voice of God. His ethnic heritage — he was the son of Armenian immigrants — convincingly allowed him to play Unusual Films roles as an Italian, a Spaniard, an Arab, a Russian and a Native American.
Today especially I remember his stage reading of James Weldon Johnson’s “Go Down Death.”
“And God said: Go down, Death, go down, / Go down to Savannah, Georgia, / Down in Yamacraw, / And find Sister Caroline. / She’s borne the burden and heat of the day, / She’s labored long in my vineyard, / And she’s tired — / She’s weary — / Go down, Death, and bring her to me.”
Written by BJU archivist Dr. John Matzko
Panosian and the Providence of His Story
In 2019, Panosian told the story of his family’s endurance of the Armenian Genocide in the Homecoming Concert, Opera & Drama Series event. An interview with Panosian opens the program, introducing the audience to the Armenians and the historical events. To only listen to Panosian’s story, skip to 1:14:22.
Honoring the Legend
Today, BJU students, faculty, staff, administration and alumni mourn Panosian’s death.
Chris Anderson, author of the biography Panosian: A Story of God’s Gracious Providence, said, “As a student, I admired Dr. Panosian as an iconic teacher. But as we worked together on his biography, I came to love him as a selfless and humble friend. His heart was even larger than his enormous voice, and his love for Christ was contagious. Dr. Panosian affected countless lives, including my own.”
Read more about Anderson and Panosian’s collaboration in this article.
Said BJU President Steve Pettit: “Dr. Ed Panosian was committed to the best of BJU. Humble, distinguished, iconic, sound, solid, reverent, intelligent, gracious, caring, thoughtful and faithful. Only eternity can measure his impact on Bob Jones University as an institution and on its students, faculty and staff. He will be missed. I am privileged to have called him professor and friend.”
See Also: Flags at half-staff
Panosian left large shoes to fill, as felt by Dr. Brenda Schoolfield, chair of the Division of History, Government & Social Science and the current teacher of History of Civilization:
“I often joke that I have taken History of Civ more than any student because I heard him teach the course every time I assisted him with attendance, even after I was a GA. I heard him teach the course maybe 15 times? I haven’t counted exactly.
“I came into History of Civ (in the Concert Center) in the fall of 1984 as a nervous but eager student. I was hungry for understanding, and I found History of Civ to be a feast. I never understood how someone could do anything else during that class — I was captivated. Dr. Panosian was a giant — in presence and in voice, but he communicated his love for his students as much as for his subject. He didn’t lecture to hear himself but to lead us into the truth, beauty and goodness of God. Yes, he taught about humanity’s depravity demonstrated by wars and genocide. He also taught about God’s patience and faithfulness.
“Two lines in particular stay with me, and they are quotations from Scripture that Dr. Panosian used to describe his own walk with God: ‘Thou, God, seest me.’ and ‘I being in the way, the Lord led me.’ (His speech in person and in teaching was liberally seasoned with Scripture.)
“Those two statements describe my own experience: (1) that God sees me — to love me, to save me, to keep me; and (2) that by continuing to do the next right thing, the Lord leads me.
“I hear Dr. Panosian at times in my head when I’m teaching (and when I’m listening to others teach). The seeds of God’s truth that he planted in my mind and heart bear fruit, and I pass that on to my students. His work does carry on through me to my students. The true legacy of a teacher is what he builds not in bricks and mortar but in hearts and minds.
“I ache for the goodbye his family and friends have to say, even as I rejoice that we will all meet again. We sorrow, but not as those who have no hope.”
