Bernard Boyd was more than just a professor of religious studies at UNC. Boyd, who served as the James A. Gray Professor of Biblical Studies at UNC from 1950 until his death in 1975, was an inspiration to those around him, using his love of English and biblical literature to bring the sacred scriptures of Judaism and Christianity to life. To honor the memory of a man who dedicated his life to scholarship, friends and former students of Professor Boyd have made generous gifts to three funds in the department of religious studies.
The Bernard Boyd Memorial Fund, established in 1975 by Boyd’s wife, Thelma, provides financial assistance for graduating seniors to pursue study at a seminary or in a graduate program in religious studies. A total of 40 students have received the Bernard Boyd Memorial Fellowship since it was first awarded in 1977. Thanks to the generosity of its many donors and the outstanding investment performance of the UNC Endowment, the market value of the Boyd Memorial Fund surpassed what was needed for the fund’s original purpose. In 2008, the fund was expanded into the Bernard Boyd Memorial Award for Undergraduate Instruction, which enhances undergraduate instruction in the department of religious studies.
In addition, the Bernard Boyd Graduate Fellowship in Religious Studies was established in 1998 by friends, former students and colleagues to support graduate students in religious studies.
Bernard Boyd, the James A. Gray Professor of Biblical Studies from 1950 to 1975, led numerous archaeological expeditions to Israel.
