Dr. David A. Washburn, beloved professor of the Psychology Department, passed away on January 24 of this year. He was well-known on campus for his comical, generous and caring personality, and has left a mark on Covenant that its students will never forget.
Photo taken by Jeremy Bowden
Even if you never met him, you probably knew about his servant’s heart, and would recognize his signature “fun tie and a 2L Coke Zero” said Dr. Carolyn Yue, Chair of the Psychology Department.
Dr. Washburn was a professor of psychology at Georgia State University for two decades before he left to become a professor here at Covenant. “He got the highest level you could get at Georgia State but he always wanted to come back here to finish his career…because of his love for Covenant,” said Dr. Rodney Wilson, Associate Professor of Psychology. Dr. Washburn got his undergraduate degree from Covenant, and even during his time at Georgia State, Covenant stayed in his heart.
He was well known for his generosity with his time, attention and resources: “He served the Lord every day through his big actions and little actions… he taught well, cared for his students, but also brought snacks or every time there was a canned food drive, clothing drive, or toy drive he would bring in something… he never made a big deal of it,” said Dr. Yue. Any time Dr. Washburn could help or support, he was there for his colleagues and students.
Despite his extensive and prestigious scholarly career, he was always humble and put students first. Dr. Washburn “shared his knowledge with such joy and enthusiasm, not to boast about his own accomplishments (which were many), but because he genuinely wanted his students to learn, grow, and succeed,” said Lexi Tincknell ’27. He brought others into his love of research, and gave students the opportunities and encouragement they needed to succeed in their chosen fields.
Dr. Washburn would also show special care to his students by taking part in their lives, from bringing in ice cream and milk to the commons to make milkshakes to going to as many Covenant sporting events as he was able. “One day, he took pictures of us playing during a game and later asked for our autographs. It was incredibly sweet and made me feel so seen and special,” said Isabella Duran ’25, “He would never fail to email me a ‘congratulations!’ or ‘you'll get 'em next time!’ after every game.”
More than his love for his students, Dr. Washburn represented what it was like to truly have the servant heart of Christ: “Never in my time with him was he not finding new ways to meet others where they were and serve them there,” said Caleb Allen ’26. The Psychology Department has now named an award the “Micah 6:8 Award in Memory of David A. Washburn,” because “he was so dedicated to welcoming the stranger, acting justly, and loving mercy,” said Dr. Yue.
Dr. Washburn, beloved of his students, colleagues, and all who knew him, will be remembered by the Covenant community as a servant-hearted man, always generously and humbly giving up of himself for others in the manner of Christ.
Thumbnail photo taken by Jeremy Bowden.