Mark Waters

Dr. Mark Waters is Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education and professor of religion in McMurry’s Department of Religion and Philosophy.

Waters joined the McMurry faculty in 2007 after serving for eight years as executive director at Just People, Inc., a nonprofit support service organization in Abilene. The first half of his career was dedicated to service as a pastor for churches in Kentucky and Texas.

Waters teaches introductory and advanced courses that help students understand world religions and prepare for Christian ministry. He loves “seeing the lightbulb come on” as students gain new insights and broaden their perspectives about the human family. He values the freedom McMurry affords to share ideas in an open-minded, caring community.

Waters’ research agenda includes comparative theology, contextual theology, pastoral theology, and the intersection of faith and science. His most recent work in pastoral theology will be published in the next edition of Theology Today, the journal of Princeton Theological Seminary.

Waters has served as a faculty sponsor for two student organizations and on multiple university committees. His university awards include Outstanding Sponsor for a Student Organization in 2012 and 2019; the Heartbeat of the Campus Award in 2017; the Gordon R. and Lola J. Bennett Award for outstanding teaching, service, and leadership in 2015; and Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year in 2014 and 2024.

Known as Papa Mark to his granddaughters, he enjoys spending time with his daughters, Krista and Becca, and their families. He is a world traveler who has accompanied McMurry students on trips to Australia, Canada, England, Haiti, India, Israel/Palestine, Italy, South Korea, Zimbabwe, France, and El Salvador.