Dr. Vivian Ann (Johnson) Bull, a Methodist educator, expert in economics and Middle Eastern
studies, and longtime supporter of IAMSCU, died on August 12. She served as a consultant to
numerous boards and commissions of the United Methodist Church as well as a trustee for
churches, banks, colleges, and institutes in various countries.
Dr. Bull was born in 1934 and her parents were school teachers, immigrants from Sweden to the
United States. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Albion College, then moved to
Chicago and became one of the first women on the Chicago Board of Trade. She earned a Fulbright
Award and studied at the London School of Economics, England, where she was invited to an
audience with Queen Elizabeth II. She also traveled to the Middle East, where she met the
archeologist Robert Bull, who was a Professor at Drew University. They married and moved back to
the United States, where she finished her Ph. D. at New York University with a thesis on “The West
Bank” in Palestine.
Vivian Bull continued her career as Professor, Dean, and President at Drew University in Madison,
New Jersey, USA, as well as President of Linfield College (now Linfield University). She also
collaborated with her late husband in archeological research in Israel, Jordan, and Syria for more
than 30 years. As a Methodist educator, she was instrumental in the development of African
University in Zimbabwe, the Investment Committee of the General Board of Higher Education and
Ministry (GBHEM) of the United Methodist Church, and in the International Association of
Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), especially as an adviser for projects in
Africa. Dr. Bull was the first woman to occupy many positions, being the first female to serve as
President of Linfield College. She also promoted young women to many positions. She received
several awards, honorific degrees, and funding for many projects. Her legacy continues in the lives
of the generations of students she supported throughout her life.
Dr. Bull was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert Bull. She is survived by her sons, Camper
of Media, Pennsylvania, and Carlson (Alexandra) of Baltimore, Maryland, and grandchildren, Eddie,
Annalise, Camille, Jolie, Mikaela, and Alexander. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday,
October 8, 2022 – at 10:30 am at The United Methodist Church, 24 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.
IAMSCU will honor Dr. Vivian Bull during the IAMSCU Board of Directors meeting to be held
in Nashville, TN, USA, on October 2.
For more information on Dr. Vivial Bull, please visit the following sites:
https://www.gbhem.org/news/gbhem-mourns-the-death-of-board-member-vivian-bull/
https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2022/08/former-linfield-president-vivian-bull-dies-at-
87.html
https://drew.edu/stories/2022/08/17/drew-university-mourns-the-passing-of-former-president-
vivian-bull/
https://news.linfield.edu/linfield-mourns-vivian-a-bull/