ANDERSON — Melissa Hobson and Jonathan Withers may be only seniors at Liberty Christian School, but after their first day back from summer vacation on Wednesday, the two had already gotten a taste of college.

That came thanks to Bob Preston’s fifth-hour honors biology class, a college-credit course taught by the former Anderson University instructor. Preston returned to Liberty this year after a nearly 20-year absence.

Prior to teaching part-time at Liberty in the mid-1980s, he served as the school administrator for three years. He was also essential in Hobson and Withers’ current enrollment, as he helped expand Liberty in the early 1980s and establish the high school.

Preston’s presence was immediately felt upon his return, with Hobson acknowledging an “interesting” first day of class.

“At first it’s intimidating because it’s a college course taught by a college professor, but it’s cool he’s come back to Liberty with us,” Hobson said. “I admire him a lot for it.”

Right away, Preston instituted a no-nonsense attitude that Withers said was evident the first day of class.

“His credentials aren’t as intimidating as his personality,” Withers said, recalling a point on Wednesday when Preston called out a student for talking under their breath during class. “He’s a very big presence in the room. He’s quick, too, and very smart.”

Preston will also teach middle-school Bible lessons this year, but he said he “loves to teach” biology from his stint at AU. Now settled back at Liberty, Preston said he looks forward to using the opportunity to reach students sooner and encourage them to hold onto their Christian faith beyond their years at Liberty.

“The more I prayed about it, the more I realized the place where people can help lock in their faith is in middle school and high school leading up to college,” Preston said. “I have a passion to help facilitate that with these young people.”

According to Preston, much has positively changed during his extended leave from Liberty, and that he is encouraged by the school that was only three years old when he first started in 1978.

“The primary difference I’ve seen is a real sense of cohesiveness and integration in the curriculum from beginning to end,” Preston said, also noting the quality of staff had drastically improved.

Hobson said Preston’s return is “admirable” and that she looks forward to learning from the man who helped secure Liberty Christian’s presence in Anderson.

“I’m excited to see what he’s going to be like this year,” Hobson said.

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Liberty Christian School