Jan Willis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janice Dean Willis
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| Born | 1948 |
| Alma mater | BA and MA degrees in philosophy, Cornell University; Ph.D. in Indic and Buddhist Studies, Columbia University |
| Occupation | Professor of Religion |
| Employer |
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| Known for | Author of books on Tibetan Buddhism |
| Awards | Wesleyan University's Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching, 2003 |
Janice Dean Willis, often called Jan Willis, was born in 1948. She is a well-known professor and author. She taught religion at Wesleyan University from 1977 to 2013. She is famous for writing books about Tibetan Buddhism. Important magazines like Time Magazine, Newsweek, and Ebony Magazine have said she is very influential. In 2011, Aetna Inc.'s African American History Calendar featured Professor Willis. She was recognized as one of thirteen important leaders in faith-based health efforts in the United States. She also taught part-time at Agnes Scott College from 2014 to 2020.
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Early Life and Education
Jan Willis grew up in Docena, Alabama, which is near Birmingham. Her father was a Baptist deacon and worked in a steel mill. In the early 1970s, she traveled through Asia. During this time, she became a student of a Tibetan Buddhist teacher named Thubten Yeshe. He encouraged her to continue her studies at university.
University Studies
Jan Willis earned two degrees in philosophy from Cornell University. These were her Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Arts (MA) degrees. Later, she received her Ph.D. from Columbia University. Her Ph.D. was in Indic and Buddhist Studies. This means she studied the languages, cultures, and religions of India and Buddhism.
Career and Contributions
Professor Willis taught at Wesleyan University for many years. She was a Professor of Religion, and she retired in 2013. She is known for her clear teaching style and her deep knowledge of Buddhism.
Awards and Recognition
In 2003, Jan Willis received a special award from Wesleyan University. It was called the Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognized her amazing teaching skills.
Sharing Her Ideas
Since 2006, Professor Willis has shared her thoughts on a group blog called On Faith. This blog was supported by Newsweek and Washington Post. She wrote alongside other famous people like Elie Wiesel, Desmond Tutu, and Madeleine Albright. Her contributions helped many people understand different ideas about faith.
