J. M. Willson Creates Lecture Series at Texas Tech January 1946 One of the main forms of Methodist philanthropy in the 20th century was the endowed lecture series. In previous blogs posts we have already considered the Fondren Lectures at SMU which were established right after World War I by Walter and Ella Fondren. Perhaps the most prolific endower though, was James McCorry Willson (1888-1972) a lumber yard owner in Floydada, Texas. In January 1946 he endowed a lectureship at Texas Technological College (later Texas Tech University). At a faculty meeting that year at which H. I. Robinson, pastor of First Methodist Church Lubbock was present, it was announced that the inaugural lecture would be delivered in February, 1947, by Rev. Roy Smith, identified by Christian Century as one of the 7 most distinguished preachers in the United States. In addition to Texas Tech, Willson endowed lectures at other colleges including McMurry, Texas Wesleyan, Baylor, Southwestern, Hendrix, Oklahoma City University, SMU, Earlham, Wayland Baptist, and I am probably omitting some others. The lectures continue to provide college and university students an opportunity to hear scholars whom they would not otherwise know about. Few students have the resources to travel to conferences to hear internationally distinguished authors such as those invited to give the Willson Lectures. Thank you Jim Willson! Perhaps you are wondering how much it cost to endow a lecture series in 1946. The gift to Texas Tech was $10,000. The interest on that amount would fund the program.