BJU History
Founding
Established in 1927 by evangelist Bob Jones Sr., Bob Jones University is known as the citadel of biblical
Christianity for its adherence to the Bible as mankind’s only source of faith and Christian practice.
Throughout his travels, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. saw students whose faith was shaken during college, and he recognized the need for a thoroughly Christian school to train America's youth. His vision was to establish a training center for Christians from around the world that would be distinguished by its academic excellence, refined standards of behavior and opportunities to appreciate the performing and visual arts. At the same time, Dr. Jones’s intent was to make a place where Christ would be the center of all thought and conduct.
Founding
Established in 1927 by evangelist Bob Jones Sr., Bob Jones University is known as the citadel of biblical
Christianity for its adherence to the Bible as mankind’s only source of faith and Christian practice.
Throughout his travels, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. saw students whose faith was shaken during college, and he recognized the need for a thoroughly Christian school to train America's youth. His vision was to establish a training center for Christians from around the world that would be distinguished by its academic excellence, refined standards of behavior and opportunities to appreciate the performing and visual arts. At the same time, Dr. Jones’s intent was to make a place where Christ would be the center of all thought and conduct.
Florida — 1927-33
Midst the sand, saw grass and pine forest, Dr. Jones Sr. and the Board of Trustees broke ground for the
college on December 1, 1926, in Bay County, Fla. The following September Bob Jones College opened with
88 students. Of primary importance was the daily chapel service which Dr. Bob Sr. determined to keep
“hot” with fervent preaching from the Bible. Before long, Dr. Bob became famous for his chapel sayings,
concise encapsulations of spiritual truths.
In addition to taking classes for the degrees of Bible, music and
speech, students were also involved in other activities, such as literary societies, sports, weekly vespers and
the Classic Players. The school survived the initial years of the Great Depression while maintaining high spiritual
and academic standards. Although a lack of funds ultimately forced Bob Jones College from its Florida campus,
God moved it to a location more accessible to its financially strapped students.
Tennessee — 1933-47
In the spring of 1933, Bob Jones College purchased and moved to its new campus in Cleveland,
Tenn. Both the intramural sports program and Artist Series began in this new location. The school
also established a work scholarship program to help students pay for their education expenses.
Despite the Depression, enrollment continued to increase. God’s financial provision for new buildings allowed Bob Jones College to accommodate the expansion. Following World War II, the GI Bill was introduced, causing the student body to nearly double in size. Needing more room to grow, the school was forced once again to relocate.
South Carolina
Greenville — 1940s
In 1946, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. announced that the school would move to a larger site, and by September,
construction of the new campus had begun in Greenville, S.C. With the addition of 6 academic
colleges, Bob Jones College became Bob Jones University in 1947. That same year, the Board of Trustees
elected Dr. Bob Jones Jr. to be president of the University. Just like his father, Dr. Bob Jones Jr. upheld the
university’s foundation on the Scriptures while emphasizing the fine arts.
Greenville — 1950s
On October 1, 1947, the University welcomed over 2,500 students to the new campus. The school
continued to add to the original 18 buildings as time and money allowed. Early in his career, Dr.
Jones Sr. recognized the power of the media. The move to Greenville provided both the space and finances
for the University to start its own radio station, WMUU, and a Christian films department, Unusual Films.
To provide an even greater cultural exposure for the students, Dr. Jones Jr. founded the BJU Museum &
Gallery in 1951. To this day, visitors from around the world come to Greenville to view one of America’s finest
collections of religious art.
Greenville — 1960s
Bob Jones University continued to grow through the turbulent years of the 1960s. In 1964 Bob Jones Jr.
became chairman of the Board of Trustees and Dr. Bob Jones III was elected as the university’s vice president.
Amidst God’s blessing and growth, the campus was saddened on January 16, 1968, when the Lord called the
university founder to meet his Savior after a lifetime of faithful service.
South Carolina
Greenville — 1970s
Although grieved by the loss of its founder, the University continued to develop under Dr. Jones Jr.’s leadership.
In 1971, Dr. Bob Jones Jr. became the university chancellor and Dr. Bob Jones III assumed the responsibilities of
president. Under the new leadership, the University expanded many facets of its ministry.
Although the Christian education movement was growing, Christian schools had little to choose from in the area of curriculum. Therefore, BJU Press was founded to provide educational materials with an integrated Christian philosophy for both schools and homeschooling families.
Several buildings were also added to the campus, and many steps were taken to improve relationships and visibility within the community. With more students attending each year, the school needed to build a new auditorium. In the early 1970s, BJU built the Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium in memory of Dr. Jones Sr.
Greenville — 1980s
After a 12-year legal battle with the IRS, the Supreme Court removed Bob Jones University's tax-exempt
status. What some thought was certain to be a deathblow only increased the school’s growth and effectiveness for
the cause of Christ.
Dr. Bob Jones III continued to emphasize the need for outreach both locally and worldwide. He became instrumental in church planting ministries across the country and the world through both preaching and financial support from the school. As part of this effort, the University established the WORLD (Workers Of Righteousness Lending Dollars) Fund to provide financial assistance to foreign students who planned to return to their homeland. In addition, the University sent out student summer mission teams, led by various faculty and staff members, that assisted preachers and missionaries in a variety of ways, including evangelism, building projects and church ministries. Today, there are approximately 10 mission teams that minister throughout the world each summer.
Greenville — 1990s
In the mid-1990s, Bob Jones University launched its BJ LINC and BJ HomeSat satellite programs, which
benefit thousands of students from homeschool families and Christian schools everyday. Shortly thereafter, Dr.
Bob Jones Jr. went home to be with the Lord on November 12, 1997. In remembrance of his zeal for preaching
the Word and seeking the salvation of souls, the Bob Jones Jr. Memorial Seminary and Evangelism Center was
built in his honor.
With the assistance of Bob Jones faculty and staff, the Museum & Gallery launched the first Living Gallery on April 9, 1998. Still a highlight each Easter, this unique production presents the gospel through music, drama and live works of art.
South Carolina
Greenville — 2000-present
Bob Jones University has undergone many changes since the dawning of the new millennium. On March 23, 2000,
the recently completed Seminary building was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Bob Jones Jr., whose desire was to
see men equipped for the gospel ministry both here and around the world. Other improvements included the
construction of the Davis Field House, a new fountain on front campus, a facelift to Founder’s Memorial
Amphitorium and a new lobby addition to Rodeheaver Auditorium.
In 2004, the University began the process of becoming an accredited member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Accreditation, granted November 2006, took place under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Jones, who was installed as the fourth-generation President during Commencement in 2005. Dr. Bob Jones III assumed the role as Chancellor of the University and continues to remain active in the ministry of BJU. Throughout these changes, Bob Jones University remains committed to the fundamental Bible beliefs upon which it was founded.
What was once a college of 88 students and 3 majors is now a university with over 4,000 students and a wide variety of undergraduate
and graduate programs. Bob Jones University provides an unparalleled education to every student by upholding high academic and biblical
standards. After more than three-quarters of a century, the University continues to be committed to its mission of developing Christlike character in every student.
For more information on the history of Bob Jones University or its founder, the following books are available:
Builder of Bridges — A biography of Dr. Bob Jones Sr. by R.K. Johnson
Standing Without Apology — A complete history of BJU by Dr. Daniel Turner
Things I Have Learned — Chapel messages by Dr. Bob Jones Sr.
Bob Jones — The Campus History Series — A photo and caption history by Bob Nestor published by Arcadia Publishing
