Bob Jones University facts for kids
.png){kind=logo} |
|
| Latin: Latin: Petimus Credimus | |
|
Former name
|
Bob Jones College (1927–1947) |
|---|---|
| Motto |
Latin: Petimus Credimus
|
|
Motto in English
|
We seek, we trust |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 1927 |
| Accreditation | SACS, TRACS |
|
Religious affiliation
|
Evangelical Christian (formerly Christian fundamentalism) |
| Chancellor | Bob Jones III |
| President | Josh Crockett |
| Provost | Gary Weier |
|
Academic staff
|
287 |
| Students | 3,095 |
| Undergraduates | 2,665 |
| Postgraduates | 430 |
| Location |
,
,
29614-0001
,
United States
34°52′23″N 82°21′50″W / 34.873°N 82.364°W |
| Campus | Small city, 210 acres (85 ha) |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Nickname | The Bruins |
|
Sporting affiliations
|
NCCAA Division II – South |
| Mascot | Brody the Bruin |
Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private Christian university located in Greenville, South Carolina. It is known for its traditional and religious beliefs. The university has about 3,000 students. It is officially recognized by groups like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This means the university meets high standards for education. By 2017, BJU had over 40,000 graduates.
Contents
University History and Growth
The university was founded by Christian speaker Bob Jones Sr. He was worried that colleges were becoming less religious. In 1924, his friend William Jennings Bryan told him that if schools kept teaching evolution as a fact, people might stop believing in God. Even though Bob Jones Sr. didn't go to college himself, he decided to start one.
On September 12, 1927, Bob Jones College opened in Panama City, Florida. It started with 88 students. Jones didn't want to name the school after himself. But his friends convinced him that people would call it that anyway because of his connection to it.
Bob Jones Sr. did not take a salary from the college. He used his own money and earnings from his speaking events to support the school. The college faced tough times early on. Florida's land market crashed, and a hurricane hit in 1926. Then came the Great Depression. Bob Jones College almost went bankrupt.
In 1933, the college moved to Cleveland, Tennessee. It also stopped playing against other colleges in sports. Despite the challenges, the move helped the college grow. Thirteen years later, it became the largest liberal arts college in Tennessee. After World War II, a program called the GI Bill helped many soldiers go to college. This led to more students, and the college needed a bigger campus.
In 1947, the college moved to Greenville, South Carolina. It also changed its name to Bob Jones University. Bob Jones Sr.'s son, Bob Jones Jr., became the second president. In Greenville, the university quickly grew much larger. It started a radio station, a film department, and an art gallery. The art gallery later became one of the biggest collections of religious art in the Western world.
In the late 1950s, BJU had a disagreement with former student Billy Graham. They disagreed about whether religious conservatives should work with other religious groups for evangelistic events. This disagreement caused a split between different Christian groups. BJU's student numbers dropped for a few years, and some board members left. However, student numbers quickly recovered. By 1970, there were 3,300 students.
In 1971, Bob Jones III became president at age 32. His father, as Chancellor, still helped run the university. In 2005, Stephen Jones became the fourth president. Bob Jones III then became Chancellor. Stephen Jones left in 2014 due to health reasons. Steve Pettit became the new president. He was the first president not related to the Jones family.
In 2011, BJU joined the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). It also brought back sports teams that play against other colleges. In 2017, the university got its federal tax exemption back. It also received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
In March 2023, Steve Pettit resigned as president. He said he couldn't work with the chairman of the university's board. Soon after, the board president also resigned.
What Students Learn at BJU
The university has seven colleges and schools. They offer over 60 different study programs for undergraduate students. This includes fourteen associate degree programs. Many university staff see their jobs as a way to serve God. Professors often stay at the university for over forty years. This helps keep the university's beliefs and teachings consistent.
Religious Studies and Beliefs
School of Religion Programs
The School of Religion offers programs for both men and women. However, only men train to become pastors or ministers. Many of these students go on to a special school called a seminary after college. Others start working in churches right after college. Students also get to practice by working in churches during their junior year. In 1995, over 1,200 BJU graduates were working as pastors across the United States.
Using the King James Bible
The university uses the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible in its services and classes. However, BJU does not believe it's the only good English Bible translation. They also don't believe it has the same authority as the original Bible writings in Hebrew and Greek. Some groups believe only the KJV is acceptable. Bob Jones Jr. called this belief a "heresy."
Creative Arts Programs
The Division of Fine Arts has the largest group of teachers among the university's undergraduate schools. Every year, the university puts on an opera and plays by Shakespeare. The Fine Arts division also has a radio and television station called WBJU. More than a hundred concerts and shows are performed each year.
Each fall, the university hosts a "High School Festival." Students from around the country compete in music, art, and speech contests. In the spring, BJU hosts a similar national competition. Thousands of students come to the university for this event.
Science and Research
Bob Jones University teaches Young Earth Creationism. This means they believe the Earth was created in a short time, as described in the Bible. All their biology teachers believe in young-earth creationism. The university does not accept evolution, calling it an "unsupportable hypothesis."
BJU says that over 80% of their students who study to become doctors get into medical or dental school within a year. The Biology Department has two research programs on campus. One studies cancer, and the other studies animal behavior. Many science teachers got their bachelor's degrees from BJU. But all of them earned their advanced degrees from other recognized universities.
The university's nursing program is approved by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing. This means BJU nursing graduates can take the exam to become a registered nurse. The engineering program at BJU is also officially recognized by ABET, a group that checks engineering programs.
University Recognition and Quality
Bob Jones Sr. was careful about official recognition for the college. He didn't want outside groups to control the school's policies. He felt it was important to stick to their beliefs. Even without official recognition, the university grew a lot after World War II.
By the 1960s, BJU graduates were accepted by most major graduate schools in the United States. This was especially true for strong programs like music, speech, and art. In these areas, talent could be shown through auditions or portfolios.
In the early 2000s, the university decided to seek official recognition. This was because some jobs started requiring degrees from officially recognized schools. In 2005, BJU gained candidate status with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. They became a full member in 2006. In 2011, BJU decided to apply for regional accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. They received this accreditation in 2017.
In 2017, US News ranked BJU among the top regional universities in the South.
University and Politics
Bob Jones Sr. was interested in politics from a young age. He was friends with William Jennings Bryan. He also supported Herbert Hoover in the 1928 presidential election. Both Bob Jones Sr. and Bob Jones Jr. were known for being tough when dealing with local governments. For example, in 1962, Bob Jones Sr. told the Greenville City Council that he had many votes and could influence elections.
Bob Jones Sr.'s 1960 sermon, "Is Segregation Scriptural?", was the university's stance on race for many years. In it, he said that being against racial separation meant being "against God Almighty." The school supported politicians who believed in racial segregation.
Ties to the Republican Party
Most students and teachers at BJU came from the northern United States. This area had more Republicans than the South, which was mostly Democratic. So, BJU had more Republicans than the surrounding community. After South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond became a Republican in 1964, BJU faculty became more involved in the state Republican party.
By 1980, religious conservatives and other Republicans in South Carolina joined forces. Many Republican candidates for local and state jobs sought support from Bob Jones III. National Republican leaders also visited. Ronald Reagan spoke at the school in 1980. Later, George W. Bush also spoke at BJU in 2000 during his presidential campaign.
Less Political Involvement
After Stephen Jones became president, BJU became less involved in politics. When asked about playing a political role, Stephen Jones said it wouldn't be his choice. He also said that the university's main message is for individuals, not to "save the culture." He admitted he was embarrassed by some strong comments made by earlier presidents.
In 2007, when Bob Jones III supported Mitt Romney for president, Stephen Jones made it clear that he and the university were not endorsing anyone. During the 2008 election, no presidential candidates spoke at BJU. Stephen Jones said in 2008, "I don't think I have a political bone in my body."
Return to Political Engagement
In 2015, BJU started to be a campaign stop for conservative Republicans again. Ben Carson and Ted Cruz held large events on campus. BJU president Steve Pettit met with other candidates like Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush. However, unlike in earlier times, President Pettit did not officially support any candidate.
Even with renewed visits, experts say BJU might not have the same political influence it had in the past. This is because Greenville has grown a lot. Still, many BJU graduates live in the area and have a big impact on the community.
University Campus and Buildings
The university campus covers 205 acres in Greenville. The first 25 buildings were used in 1947–48. Later buildings were built with the same light yellow brick.
Art Museum and Gallery
Bob Jones Jr. loved European art. He started collecting art after World War II. The museum now has over 400 European paintings from the 14th to 19th centuries. It also has old furniture and a collection of Russian icons. The museum also displays ancient items from the Holy Land.
The gallery has many Baroque paintings. These include famous works by artists like Rubens and Tintoretto. Seven large paintings by Benjamin West, made for King George III, are displayed in the War Memorial Chapel.
Every Easter, the university and the Museum & Gallery put on the Living Gallery. This is a show where live models pose to recreate famous religious paintings. They are dressed and made up to look exactly like the figures in the art.
After Bob Jones Jr. passed away, Erin Jones, the wife of former president Stephen Jones, became the director. She helped bring the museum into modern times. The museum now works with other institutions and lends out its art for shows.
In 2008, the BJU Museum & Gallery opened a smaller location downtown. It showed different art from the main museum and had activities for children. Both locations closed in 2017. In 2018, the museum announced plans for a new home off campus.
University Library
The Mack Library is 90,000 square feet. It has over 300,000 books and seats for 1,200 people. It also has a computer lab. The library has a special collection of about 700 American hymn books. The "Jerusalem Chamber" is a copy of a room in Westminster Abbey. This is where the King James Version of the Bible was worked on. It displays a collection of rare Bibles. A nearby room honors the life of Bob Jones Sr. and the university's history.
The library also keeps a "Fundamentalism File." This file collects articles about social and religious topics important to Christians. The University Archives has copies of all university publications, stories from faculty and staff, and pictures related to the Jones family and the university's history.
Other University Programs
Unusual Films Studio
Both Bob Jones Sr. and Bob Jones Jr. believed that film could be a great way to share Christian messages. In 1950, the university started Unusual Films. The studio's name comes from a past BJU slogan: "The World's Most Unusual University." Katherine Stenholm, a speech teacher, became the first director. She learned about filmmaking from Hollywood experts.
Unusual Films has made seven feature-length movies. Each film shares a Christian message. Some of these films include Wine of Morning, Red Runs the River, and Sheffey. Wine of Morning (1955) was even shown at the Cannes Film Festival. The studio also makes films for children, like The Treasure Map and Project Dinosaur. In 2011, they released Milltown Pride, a historical film set in the 1920s.
Unusual Films also has a program for students to learn filmmaking. Students get professional training in directing, editing, and cinematography. Before they graduate, students create their own short films.
BJU Press Publishing
BJU Press started because Christian schools needed textbooks. The press now publishes textbooks for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Over a million students worldwide use BJU textbooks. The press has about 2,500 different books available.
BJU Press also offers online learning courses. Another part of the press, the Academy of Home Education, helps families who teach their children at home. It keeps student records, gives tests, and issues high school diplomas.
Programs for Younger Students
The university runs Bob Jones Academy. This school enrolls students from preschool through 12th grade. It has about 1,100 students.
Student Life and Activities
|
"I believe in the inspiration of the Bible (both the Old and the New Testaments); the creation of man by the direct act of God; the incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; His identification as the Son of God; His vicarious atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood on the cross; the resurrection of His body from the tomb; His power to save men from sin; the new birth through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit; and the gift of eternal life by the grace of God." |
| — BJU Creed |
Religion is a very important part of life and learning at BJU. The BJU Creed, written in 1927, is recited by students and teachers four days a week during chapel services.
The university also encourages starting new churches in areas that need them. It helps graduates financially and with planning to start over a hundred new churches. Students also participate in Missions Advance, a group that prays for missionaries and encourages interest in spreading Christianity worldwide. During summers and holidays, about 150 students join teams to use their skills to help Christian missions around the world.
Student Rules and Guidelines
BJU has clear rules for student life. Some rules are based on the university's understanding of the Bible. Other rules help students learn to be orderly and respectful. For example, students are expected to be on time for class.
In 2018, the dress code for women changed. They are now allowed to wear pants. Men are allowed to wear polo shirts or dress shirts on weekdays until 5:00 pm. They no longer have to wear ties. Students must attend chapel four days a week. They also need to attend at least two services each week at an approved local church.
Students living in dorms must be in their rooms by 11:00 pm, with lights out at midnight. Students are not allowed to go to movie theaters while living on campus. However, they can watch G or PG rated movies in their dorms. Students are also not allowed to listen to popular contemporary music. Male students with certain privileges can have neatly trimmed facial hair. Women are expected to dress modestly and wear dresses or skirts that reach the knee for classes and religious services.
Fun Activities and Clubs
After 1933, BJU stopped playing sports against other colleges for a while. Instead, they had many intramural sports. These included soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, and more. The university also competed in college-level debate and mock trial competitions.
In 2012, BJU joined the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). They started playing intercollegiate soccer, basketball, cross-country, and golf. The university's teams are called the Bruins.
All unmarried first-year students under 23 must join one of 45 "societies." These societies meet for fun and friendship. They also have weekly prayer meetings. Societies compete against each other in intramural sports, debate, and academic contests. The university also has a student newspaper called The Collegian and a yearbook called Vintage.
Every December, thousands of students, teachers, and visitors gather for a Christmas carol singing and lighting ceremony. They light up tens of thousands of Christmas lights. In 2004, this event set a Guinness World Record for Christmas caroling with 7,514 carolers.
Before 2015, students and teachers had to attend a six-day Bible Conference instead of a traditional Spring Break. But starting in 2016, the Bible Conference moved to February. This gave students a week of Spring Break in March. The Conference brings together Christian speakers and people from around the country.
University Sports Teams
The Bob Jones University (BJU) sports teams are known as the Bruins. The university is part of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). They mostly compete in Division II.
The Bruins also competed in NCAA Division III from 2020 to 2023.
BJU has 12 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, and track & field. Women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, cross-country, soccer, track & field, and volleyball.
Sports History and Achievements
In 2012, the university started its intercollegiate athletics program. It began with four teams: men's soccer, men's basketball, women's soccer, and women's basketball. Golf and cross-country teams were added in 2013–2014. Shooting sports were added in 2016. Men's baseball started in 2021, and women's beach volleyball began in 2022.
In its first 11 seasons, the athletic department won 22 NCCAA National Championships. They also had nearly 100 All-Americans and over 200 Scholar-Athletes. Bruins Athletics received the Presidential Award for Excellence six times in a row. This award honors the most successful NCCAA DII athletics program.
Joining NCAA Division III
In 2018, BJU looked into joining the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). They applied in January 2020. In June, the Bruins were accepted as provisional members for Division III for three years. This made them the only Division III school in South Carolina. The school is currently looking for a conference to join.
Famous People from BJU
Alumni Who Made a Difference
Many BJU graduates have become important figures in Christian fundamentalism and evangelical Christianity. These include Ken Hay (who started "The Wilds" Christian camps) and Ron "Patch" Hamilton (a composer and president of Majesty Music). Billy Kim (a former president of the Baptist World Alliance) and Moisés Silva (president of the Evangelical Theological Society) also graduated from BJU.
One BJU alumnus, Asa Hutchinson, served as the governor of Arkansas and in the U.S. Congress. His brother Tim Hutchinson served in the U.S. Senate. Other alumni have served in state governments, including state senators and representatives in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Maryland, and South Carolina.
