Lindsey Wilson University Psychology Professor William Neace Set to Become Batman on Oct. 31
Dressing as comic-book hero on Halloween helps professor remind students that life should be enjoyed.
COLUMBIA, Ky. (10/15/2025) — Each Halloween, the seemingly meek psychology professor William Neace dresses up in a black cape and cowl and is transformed into the comic book superhero Batman, taking on Lindsey Wilson University for the day.
Neace dons the costume, in part, to provide students with a lesson on why life should not always be so serious.
When thinking of Batman, many traits can be called to mind by Neace -- and he shows them to students when dressed up as the comic-book hero.
Regarding physical traits, Neace says you have to represent strength when you become Batman. So each year, Neace stands on a table in the classroom, "because, you know, you gotta be on your perch." He also takes on the deep, raspy voice of Batman to capture the character more vividly and remind students, in a darker tone, "I am vengeance."
As for personality, Neace notes that he shares the duality of Batman and Bruce Wayne, Batman's secret identity. As it has been said that Wayne and Batman are two different people, so are Neace and Batman. Neace says that when he is dressed as Batman, he loves to represent truth and justice.
Origins story
Neace's interest in Batman was sparked by the short-lived 1960s TV series on ABC, which starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, Batman's faithful sidekick.
Neace said he was greatly influenced by the TV show. He said that his mother would buy him a Batman costume every Halloween, and his attachment to the character has grown over the years. Today, both his Lindsey Wilson office and his home in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, showcase Batman memorabilia.
"You gotta see my place at home," he said. "It's all Batman themed since COVID. I have a few little cars and some of the posters."
Two Batmans
Today, Neace owns two Batman costumes -- Batman from the 1960s TV show, which is in blue and black; and an updated Batman, which is all black. He wears the black, updated version on campus.
The updated Batman costume consists of a cowl, cape, belt and gloves. Neace creatively uses a black workout shirt and black leggings to complete the outfit.
Neace said he finds that when he is in costume, he is treated differently than normal.
"Absolutely, they don't know what to think of me really," he said.
Over the past five years that Neace has dressed up as Batman, word has spread on campus.
"One of my intro students this semester asked me if I was gonna dress up as Batman this year," said Neace. "So now everybody knows. Seeing Batman come into the classroom for the first time is awe-inspiring, I think. No one really would think that I'm that crazy.
"If Halloween is not during the week, I'll dress up on a Friday. I tell the students that Halloween came early to the Batcave (Batman's secret residence). I got candy for them."
Putting others first
Neace says that Batman should be seen as a kind hero, one who puts others first. And he recently had a chance to do that.
"One year I won the costume contest from the (Lindsey Wilson Student Government Association), and they came by and tried to give me a gift card," he said. "I told them that Batman doesn't take gratuities."
Neace selflessly told SGA officials to give the gift card to someone else.
"Batman is not in this for gratuities," he said.
Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.
Media Attachments
Most of the time -- 364 days to be exact -- William Neace is a seemingly meek psychology professor at Lindsey Wilson University. But every Halloween, Neace dresses as the comic-book hero Batman to provide students with a lesson on why life should not always be so serious.
Most of the time -- 364 days to be exact -- William Neace is a seemingly meek psychology professor at Lindsey Wilson University. But every Halloween, Neace dresses as the comic-book hero Batman to provide students with a lesson on why life should not always be so serious.
Lindsey Wilson University
Duane Bonifer -- 270-384-8042 (office), 270-634-1101 (mobile)Share this Story
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