Staff, family capture professor’s world views in print

Linda MacKay is sure not everyone will enjoy the book she helped compile, but she thinks philosophy lovers will find it interesting.

“There are people who will find it a page-turner,” she said.

MacKay and several staff and family of the late Glenn Martin helped pen a book on his popular world-view lecture series.

Martin, who died in 2004, was the former chairman of the division of social science at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he was also a professor of history and political science. He’d often challenge his students on world views.

MacKay said Martin often traveled across the country sharing his 18-hour lecture series. The lectures were so moving to some that letters would flood his office, asking Martin when he would write a book on his work, but he never had the time.

Following his death, MacKay and several other staff and family members of Martin pitched in to compile the book, Prevailing World Views of Western Society Since 1500.

From compact disc, student notes and Martin’s lecture notes, the team was able to publish a condensed copy of his series. MacKay said they are working on writing a more in-depth book of the lectures.

Martin’s wife, Betty, said it was an honor to see her husband’s work being remembered on the campus where he taught for more than 30 years.

“It makes me feel great,” she said. “We are sending books all around the world because he lectured a lot. I’m hoping that it will catch on as more people read it.”

Triangle Publishing, which is a part of IWU, is the publishing house for the book.

David Bartley, a former student of Martin’s and now division chairman of social sciences, can remember how Martin’s lectures changed his outlook on life while he was in college.

“I was a typical college student that had all the answers and didn’t know the questions,” he said. “It was a very engaging environment, as I remember.”

Bartley said he always wanted to see his former teacher and colleague’s work carried on and jumped at the opportunity to put it in print.

“I’m using his books now in one of the classes I took from him,” he said. “In a way, he’s still teaching.”

Originally published January 15, 2007