Kaitlyn Crawford

Bruce Willis and his students at the Anthropology camp in May.

Piedmont University’s beloved Vice President and Forensic Science Professor Bruce Willis resigned earlier this summer in June. Willis had a tremendous impact on Piedmont’s forensic science program. 

Before becoming a professor at Piedmont University, Willis was a special agent at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for 21 years and a Criminal Investigation Coordinator at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. He is also a director of the Georgia Division of the International Association for Identification.

Jaslyn Lee, a long-time forensic science student of Willis, is discouraged, “I am distraught because he has impacted my education here at Piedmont,” said Lee. “He and his wife Katrina (an instructor for Piedmont’s Georgia Forensic Academy)  have been significant mentors to me.”

Bruce taught classes specific to forensic science and organized classes and camps through the Georgia Forensic Academy. 

Lee noted that “all these extra classes, such as the Forensic Anthropology and shooting reconstruction camp, improved our education and resumes. Additionally, Bruce and Katrina sponsored the Criminalistics Club, providing us with personnel and other opportunities to further our education outside the classroom.”

Bruce Willis is now the head of the Forensic Science Program at Truett McConnell University.