Northwest Nazarene University Faculty Emeritus Irving "Doc" Laird passed away at his home March 6. A celebration worship service honoring his life will be held Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m. at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene.

Laird was employed with NNU for 30 years before retiring in 1997. During this time he served as a professor in NNU's Division of Philosophy and Religion, he was dean of students for 11 years and chair of the Department of Special Ministries for 17 years. Laird initiated the social service ministry major and had opportunity to become involved in the beginning years of several Nazarene Compassionate Ministries inner city projects.

Laird was an example of servant leadership and grace among his peers and students. While at NNU he began a young man's discipleship group called The Covenant, which became a place of spiritual and personal growth for over a hundred college students. The group was based on eight principles: accountability, affirmation, availability, confidentiality, honesty, openness, prayer, and sensitivity. Laird stayed in contact with nearly all of the small-group participants up to his passing.

"I am so thankful to have had a mentor like Doc in my life," said Jeff Carr, a Covenant member. "He plucked me off a soccer field when I was 19 years old as a college kid who was trying to find his way. For over 30 years he advised, admonished, suggested, listened, guided and always loved me. Now I feel challenged to invest in others the way Doc invested in me and thousands of other students for over 60 years."

In 2010, the Irving W. and Beverly A. Laird Compassionate Ministries Scholarship was formed to assist students who desire to come to NNU from inner city compassionate ministries centers or who are preparing to work in urban compassionate ministries. In 2011, Laird was awarded The Wesley Order of Servant Leaders Award by NNU President David Alexander, honoring his practice and spirit of servant leadership reflective of the Christian faith and the university's mission. He was also presented with NCM's The Good Samaritan Award.

"Dr. Irving Laird personified the transformative nature of the NNU experience," Alexander said. "His lasting, positive impact will continue for generations to come in the lives of the students he nurtured, taught, mentored, and loved."

Prior to his career at NNU, Laird served in several associate positions and one senior pastorate. In retirement, Laird and his wife, Bev, stayed active in a variety of ministries at his local church and as a volunteer at Mountain States Tumor Institute. He also taught some short-term classes at various Nazarene campuses and spent time as interim chaplain at Eastern Nazarene College in 2001.

Laird's obituary may be found here.

Saturday's service will be live streamed at doclaird.com at 2 p.m. MST. The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Irving W. and Beverly A. Laird Compassionate Ministry Scholarship fund at Northwest Nazarene University, 623 South University Blvd., Nampa, Idaho 83686.
--Northwest Nazarene University