UPDATE: Professor makes it to tournament finals on Jeopardy!
Professor Gary Hollis won his first two appearances in the Jeopardy! Champions Wildcard Tournament, advancing to the finals, which aired in two parts on Friday, Dec. 15, and Monday, Dec. 18. After a valiant effort, he finished the final as second runner-up, winning $25,000 and impressive bragging rights as a Jeopardy! tournament finalist.
The Roanoke College community supported Hollis at watch parties held across the four nights of his tournament appearance, filling the room to standing room only and cheering each time he answered a clue correctly. Scroll down for a video clip of the reaction to his first episode victory.
Original (Dec. 04, 2023):
This Roanoke College professor is making a triumphant return to one of the most coveted spots in the world of trivia and quiz shows.
Who is chemistry professor — and Roanoke College Quiz Bowl coach — Gary Hollis?
Professor Hollis was invited back to compete on “Jeopardy!” in a show that will air Dec. 8. This marks a return appearance for him on the iconic national game show. In 2021, he was picked for the program’s first-ever Jeopardy! Professors Tournament.
He prevailed in his initial matchup in that event against professors from Vanderbilt University and Pennsylvania State University and advanced to the tournament’s semifinals. In celebratory watch parties that brought together the entire campus community, his peers and students cheered him on and got to ask Hollis questions about his prime-time experience.
Photos: Social media posts in 2021 channeled the excitment felt across the campus community during Professor Hollis' debut appearance on Jeopardy!
"The hardest part about not winning is not being able to play Jeopardy! anymore," Hollis lamented at the time after his 2021 run ended in the themed event's semifinals.
Little did he know that he would get another call from the program earlier this year. This time, he’s part of a slate of tough competitors invited back for a Champions Wildcard Tournament. Each contestant is a prior episode winner vying for another shot at glory.
The chance to return to the Jeopardy! stage was an unexpected but much welcomed opportunity. Competing on Jeopardy! was a lifelong dream for Hollis. He first began trying out for the show during his own days as a college student.
“I was excited to get the call for a return to Jeopardy! competition,” Hollis said. “I loved my experience in the Professors Tournament and very much wanted to play again. This time, we were not in the midst of COVID, so there was a full studio audience and all the contestants were able to be together in the green room as the matches unfolded.”
Hollis, who specializes in organic chemistry, has been a professor at Roanoke College for over 25 years. He's a past winner of the annual Dean's Award for Exemplary Professional Achievement and the Dean’s Award for Exemplary Service.
He also regularly mentors student researchers on campus and, as an ardent fan of pub trivia, works with students as the faculty advisor for the competitive Quiz Bowl team.
Hollis’ new episode of Jeopardy! will air locally at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, on CBS affiliate WDBJ7. For broadcast details outside the region, viewers are advised to consult their local TV listings.
Those eager to know how he did will have to tune in, as he’s not ruining the surprise, in keeping with requests from producers. Roanoke will be celebrating his episode that night with a live watch party open to its campus community.
VIDEO: Roanoke College swept up in Jeopardy! fever
Students, faculty, family and friends packed campus watch parties to follow Professor Hollis' journey on Jeopardy! During commercial breaks, Hollis entertained the audience by answering questions and sharing stories from his adventures on the show. "I appreciate having everyone cheer me on," he said. "The support has meant a whole lot to me."
Click below to see the audience's reaction to Hollis' victory in his first tournament episode that aired Tuesday, Dec. 12: