Westmont Magazine A Linguist and a Leader
Although he taught at Westmont only 10 years, Dr. Elbert McCreery helped establish a tradition of academic excellence at the young college. One of three incorporators of the Bible Missionary Institute in 1937 (the others were Mrs. Ruth Kerr and Rev. Leland Entrekin), he played a key role in defining the school’s character at its inception.
An accomplished linguist and specialist in biblical languages, Dr. McCreery came to Westmont at the end of a productive career as a professor, preacher, and missionary.
He first taught at Assuit College in Egypt after graduating from Monmouth College in 1901. He then enrolled at Xenia Theological Seminary, earning a degree in 1906.
Returning to Africa as an ordained minister and pioneer missionary, he spent seven years there. Long before the Wycliffe Bible Translators, he reduced the native languages Nuer and Shulla to writing and translated the Gospel of John into Shulla.
When his wife’s health deteriorated, they left Africa. Dr. McCreery became field secretary for the Layman’s Missionary Movement and pastored several United Presbyterian churches. He also taught Hebrew at Xenia Seminary and Greek, phonetics, and non-Christian religions at Moody Bible Institute. In 1929, he became academic dean at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, a position he assumed at the Bible Missionary Institute.
Later he taught theology and Greek and chaired the Bible department at Westmont. After serving as acting president, he retired in 1947 at the age of 70.
The late Dr. Kenneth Monroe, a longtime professor and trustee, remembered the former dean fondly. “[He] was of very impressive stature, physically, mentally, and spiritually. As far as I can remember, Dr. McCreery was highly respected by both campus and board of trustees.”
His former students also paid tribute to him. Kay Kane, a longtime Westmont staff member and secretary to the president, studied under Dr. McCreery at Biola. “He was one of my favorite teachers,” she recalled. “He was a very wise and dedicated man, and his years of experience in the field of education and mission work made him a very well qualified man for his important job. He was a godly man, and lived his Christianity. There was an air of austerity about him, but this was offset by his friendliness.”
Dr. Bob Campbell ’44 credits Dr. McCreery with steering him into an academic career. After receiving a low grade in Greek he nearly dropped out of the class. But Dr. McCreery told him, “I’ve graded you harshly because you need waking up . . . . We need expository preachers who take the Bible seriously, and you have all the potential.”
High standards, a love for teaching, and a commitment to students characterized Dr. McCreery. He helped begin the tradition of outstanding faculty at Westmont.