David Bodde

Dr. Bodde is now Professor Emeritus at Clemson University. I served in the Army (including Vietnam) as a paratrooper and Ranger from 1965 to 1970. At the time, I was culturally Christian, but in truth did not know Jesus for whom He really is. After I left active duty, I went to graduate school at MIT and then got my PhD from Harvard. Then pursued a career running research organizations in government and private business. Participated in several startup companies, one of which actually worked. And for all those years, I had received great blessings without ever recognizing them or acknowledging their Source. Also during that time, I began reading C.S. Lewis and John Stott...and, most importantly, The Bible. Came to realize the enormous importance of deciding whether or not the Christian message was true. And over time, its Truth became abundantly clear to me...the evidence is overwhelming, and the alternative worldviews simply unsatisfactory. As the Apostle Peter said to Jesus, "...where else are we to go? You have the words of eternal life." As I now look back upon my life, I see clear evidence of the gracious leading of Christ and his patience with me. His love is my greatest treasure, and without His grace, I would be hopelessly lost. This man who once walked in darkness has indeed seen a great light. Hence the verse below...

My Life

Favorite Quote

"I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see." John Newton

Friends describe me

I honestly have no idea.

My hobbies

Gardening, writing, music.

Fantasy dinner guests

John Newton, John Milton, Johan Sebastian Bach

Best advice I ever received

Seek and you will find. Knock and the door shall be opened for you.

My undergrad alma mater

West Point

My worst subject in school

math

In college I drove

Nothing

If I weren't a professor, I would

be an entrepreneur

Favorite books

The Bible, Captain Newman, M.D., anything by Dostoevsky

Favorite movies

"Fate is the Hunter"

Favorite city

Kansas City (my hometown)

Favorite coffee

Eleos Coffee Shop (Kansas City)

Nobody knows I

Am a bit shy and socially awkward.

My latest accomplishment

Senior scholar at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Current Research

Entrepreneurship for those at the bottom of the income pyramid.