Since enrolling at Millsaps College over 70 years ago, T.W. Lewis has been involved in virtually every way imaginable—from serving as the student body president to serving as the chair of the Humanities division during his faculty tenure. However, Lewis, a figure cherished for his humility, is quick to brush off personal accolades. For him, it has always been about his desire to make personal connections with others. Alumni Bob (’79) and Dana (’81) Lyle are two of many who benefitted from his mentoring. To honor T.W. and his late wife Julia, Bob and Dana established the Dr. T. W. & Julia Lewis Scholarship Fund.
The fund provides students who demonstrate financial need with an opportunity to be part of the community to which T.W. and Julia dedicated much of their lives.
“We were lucky enough to be at Millsaps at a time when T.W. and Julia were an integral presence in the Millsaps community, both in and outside the classroom,” said Bob Lyle. “Their passion and commitment to everything Millsaps were an inspiration for all whose lives they touched. Their Christian examples of service and humility set them apart. We are delighted to have this opportunity to honor them.”
A native of Columbus, Mississippi, T.W. came to Millsaps in the fall of 1949. He lettered in football for four years, was elected president of the student body his senior year, and met his future wife and life companion, Julia Aust. At Millsaps, Julia, a Clarksdale native, was a Chi Omega, chair of the Women’s Council, and the 1952 homecoming queen. After graduating, T. W. prepared for the ministry at The Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University while Julia taught in the public schools of Dallas, Texas.
Together, they served Methodist churches in Macon, Mississippi for several years before T.W accepted a temporary faculty appointment at Millsaps in 1959. He discovered that his true vocation was teaching and earned a doctorate concentrated in New Testament Studies from Drew University in 1964.
T.W. taught steadily at Millsaps from 1964 until his retirement in 1996. A retirement in name only, he has been a fixture on campus since then. He served on the Alumni Council, the Council on Church Relations, and the Center for Ministry Board of Directors. In 2000 he received a Livesay Service Award, in 2001 he was inducted into the Millsaps Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2007 he was named the Alumnus of the Year.
For her part, Julia was a member of the Millsaps faculty as a special services librarian from 1984 until her retirement in 1995. In addition to their roles as alumni and faculty members, the couple were also Millsaps parents; their daughter Catherine and son Tom are graduates of the college. T.W. and Julia enjoyed a marriage of 63 years before Julia passed away in 2015.
Because of their legacy, David Clark (’70) and Robert Wiygul (’81) jumped at the opportunity to contribute to the scholarship fund. “Julia and T.W. Lewis provided education, friendship and moral leadership to so many of us at Millsaps, and in the whole state of Mississippi,” said Wiygul, who also counts T.W. as a long-time fishing partner. “It’s an honor to help Millsaps carry on their work.”
To contribute to the Dr. T. W. & Julia Lewis Scholarship Fund, go to www.mbench.org/givenow and include “T.W. & Julia Lews Scholarship” in the note, or contact Brad Ewing at 601-974-1026.