2025 ACTA GRANTS AWARDED
Each year, the Alumni Relations Department, on behalf of the Alumni Association, forms a committee to choose the recipients of a grant called Alumni Child Tuition Aid. The grant is awarded to a current junior or senior who is a child of an alum in the Alumni Association. At the start of the spring semester, the committee — including two BJU employees from Alumni Relations and Financial Aid, plus at least two Alumni Association members — meets to review the applicants. The recipients are chosen based on financial need, academic performance and strength of their application, including a personal essay.
This year the committee awarded the following six students $1,000 each to be applied to their school accounts.
Emily Fernett
Daughter of Brian ‘95 and Heidi (Detwiler) ‘98
AUDREY MARINELLI
Daughter of Gabe ‘96 and Beth (McDaniel) ‘96
Caitlynn Schaub
Daughter of John ‘94 and Heather (Lewis) ‘93
Brendan Warren
Son of David ‘96 and Maria (Worst) ‘97
Julia Weigle
Daughter of John ‘96 and Sharon (Holloway) ‘97
Hannah Whiteley
Daughter of Tim ‘84 and Teresa
ALLEN JACOBS MEMORIAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
Friday, Mar. 14 was the 9th annual Allen Jacobs Memorial Prayer Breakfast at Bob Jones University — held in honor of Officer Allen Jacobs and other officers in Greenville County who have been killed in the line of duty.
During this year’s breakfast — emceed by WYFF 4 anchor, Jane Robelot — several awards, including the Allen Jacobs Award of Valor, were presented to officers and public safety professionals for meritorious acts performed over the past year. Pastor Jeff Webb, Greenville Police Department chaplain, delivered a brief keynote.
A particularly memorable part of the program occurred when Greer SC PD chaplain Rick Cross (‘81) took the mic to pray. Before his prayer, Rick related how his son Steven Cross (‘21) not only received the Allen Jacobs Memorial Scholarship as a student at BJU but also recently won Greer SC Police Department’s Officer of the Year.
The breakfast is provided free of charge to law enforcement personnel. Business and community leaders across the Upstate are encouraged to attend and sponsor the event. This year’s sponsors include Mackey Funerals and Cremations, Canteen, the Greenville Police Department, Greenville Heritage Federal Credit Union and Pepsi of Greenville.
Proceeds from the breakfast benefit the Allen Jacobs Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was created at the request of the Jacobs family to assist senior BJU students majoring in criminal justice. Since its inception, this event has raised over $150,000.
ALLEN JACOBS MEMORIAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
Friday, Mar. 14 was the 9th annual Allen Jacobs Memorial Prayer Breakfast at Bob Jones University — held in honor of Officer Allen Jacobs and other officers in Greenville County who have been killed in the line of duty.
During this year’s breakfast — emceed by WYFF 4 anchor, Jane Robelot — several awards, including the Allen Jacobs Award of Valor, were presented to officers and public safety professionals for meritorious acts performed over the past year. Pastor Jeff Webb, Greenville Police Department chaplain, delivered a brief keynote.
A particularly memorable part of the program occurred when Greer SC PD chaplain Rick Cross (‘81) took the mic to pray. Before his prayer, Rick related how his son Steven Cross (‘21) not only received the Allen Jacobs Memorial Scholarship as a student at BJU but also recently won Greer SC Police Department’s Officer of the Year.
The breakfast is provided free of charge to law enforcement personnel. Business and community leaders across the Upstate are encouraged to attend and sponsor the event. This year’s sponsors include Mackey Funerals and Cremations, Canteen, the Greenville Police Department, Greenville Heritage Federal Credit Union and Pepsi of Greenville.
Proceeds from the breakfast benefit the Allen Jacobs Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was created at the request of the Jacobs family to assist senior BJU students majoring in criminal justice. Since its inception, this event has raised over $150,000.
MUCH LOVED PROFESSOR RECEIVES HONOR
Dr. Gary Weier, Provost and Executive Vice President, recently announced Dr. Marc Chetta is Bob Jones University’s 2025 recipient for the SCICU – South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities – Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Chetta, a professor in the School of Health Professions, holds a BS in Zoology from Louisiana State University and earned an MD from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans.
While a teaching resident, Dr. Chetta received the Parke-Davis Teacher Development Award, one of only 12 residents selected from across the entire country. During the first 10 years of his professional career, Dr. Chetta was in private practice in rural Mississippi and served as assistant clinical professor of Family Medicine at LSU for 7 of those years. In 1991, he became the ER medical director at Habersham County Medical Center in Georgia, and in 2005, with two colleagues, he formed Covenant Emergency Physicians, LLC and served as its president for six years.
He came to teach at BJU in January 2011 and is widely praised for his dynamic teaching style, engaging storytelling, and deep personal investment in his students. His courses are rigorous yet deeply enriching, blending medical expertise with a biblical worldview. Students appreciate his ability to make complex concepts accessible as well as his encouragement and mentorship. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Chetta is known for his genuine compassion, humor, and unwavering commitment to student success. His impact extends far beyond academics, shaping the next generation of medical professionals with knowledge, integrity, and a Christ-centered perspective.
According to Dr. Weier, Dr. Marc Chetta embodies what is best about our BJU faculty and staff. He has high expectations for his students, but he doesn’t just hold them accountable to these high expectations. He supports and challenges them on their journey to help them understand their potential is greater than what they realize. He motivates and inspires them to love God with all their being as they prepare for their callings that God has for them. He teaches them how to exercise discernment and biblical wisdom. He demonstrates what it means to love your neighbor as you already love yourself. He shows by example what it means for believers to live or to be animated by their faith, and he does this without taking himself too seriously. Dr. Chetta truly is an example of what is best about BJU.
MUCH LOVED PROFESSOR RECEIVES HONOR
Dr. Gary Weier, Provost and Executive Vice President, recently announced Dr. Marc Chetta is Bob Jones University’s 2025 recipient for the SCICU – South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities – Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Chetta, a professor in the School of Health Professions, holds a BS in Zoology from Louisiana State University and earned an MD from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at New Orleans.
While a teaching resident, Dr. Chetta received the Parke-Davis Teacher Development Award, one of only 12 residents selected from across the entire country. During the first 10 years of his professional career, Dr. Chetta was in private practice in rural Mississippi and served as assistant clinical professor of Family Medicine at LSU for 7 of those years. In 1991, he became the ER medical director at Habersham County Medical Center in Georgia, and in 2005, with two colleagues, he formed Covenant Emergency Physicians, LLC and served as its president for six years.
He came to teach at BJU in January 2011 and is widely praised for his dynamic teaching style, engaging storytelling, and deep personal investment in his students. His courses are rigorous yet deeply enriching, blending medical expertise with a biblical worldview. Students appreciate his ability to make complex concepts accessible as well as his encouragement and mentorship. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Chetta is known for his genuine compassion, humor, and unwavering commitment to student success. His impact extends far beyond academics, shaping the next generation of medical professionals with knowledge, integrity, and a Christ-centered perspective.
According to Dr. Weier, Dr. Marc Chetta embodies what is best about our BJU faculty and staff. He has high expectations for his students, but he doesn’t just hold them accountable to these high expectations. He supports and challenges them on their journey to help them understand their potential is greater than what they realize. He motivates and inspires them to love God with all their being as they prepare for their callings that God has for them. He teaches them how to exercise discernment and biblical wisdom. He demonstrates what it means to love your neighbor as you already love yourself. He shows by example what it means for believers to live or to be animated by their faith, and he does this without taking himself too seriously. Dr. Chetta truly is an example of what is best about BJU.
CROSSING THE FINISH LINE
On Friday, Mar. 20, Dr. Matthew Weathers ran the final leg of a four-day journey crossing the finish line in Alumni Stadium just before 8 p.m. Many students, faculty/staff and alumni followed his progress throughout the week as he completed a full-distance triathlon for 4 consecutive days. Over those 4 days he swam 9.6 miles, biked 448 miles and ran 104.8 miles — a grand total of 562.4 miles. The bike ride on day 3 took a short detour — through FMA during chapel! While speeding across the auditorium at a much faster pace, this exciting moment for current students was easily compared to Dr. Edward Panosian delighting many — now alumni — as he famously peddled through FMA for Gold Rush Daze.
On day 4 — exhausted yet energized — Matthew Weathers ran the last stretch through a tunnel of cheering students grateful for this novel endeavor to help make BJU affordable for more students. In case you missed it on social media, we’ve included a link below to watch the outpouring of community support at the finish line!
Giving toward IRON40 is open until Apr. 20. For more information, click here.
CROSSING THE FINISH LINE
On Friday, Mar. 20, Dr. Matthew Weathers ran the final leg of a four-day journey crossing the finish line in Alumni Stadium just before 8 p.m. Many students, faculty/staff and alumni followed his progress throughout the week as he completed a full-distance triathlon for 4 consecutive days. Over those 4 days he swam 9.6 miles, biked 448 miles and ran 104.8 miles — a grand total of 562.4 miles. The bike ride on day 3 took a short detour — through FMA during chapel! While speeding across the auditorium at a much faster pace, this exciting moment for current students was easily compared to Dr. Edward Panosian delighting many — now alumni — as he famously peddled through FMA for Gold Rush Daze.
On day 4 — exhausted yet energized — Matthew Weathers ran the last stretch through a tunnel of cheering students grateful for this novel endeavor to help make BJU affordable for more students. In case you missed it on social media, we’ve included a link below to watch the outpouring of community support at the finish line!
Giving toward IRON40 is open until Apr. 20. For more information, click here.
LIVING IN BABYLON: ANSWERS IN GENESIS AT BJU
Get your tickets now for Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis at Bob Jones University!
Living in Babylon comes to BJU Apr. 14, 2025, as Ken Ham and Dr. Owen Strachan bring the timeless power of Scripture to life for a changing world.
Because God’s Word is a word for every generation and every culture, it inspires ultimate clarity, hope, and action. The light of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the light that brings every generation and every culture out of darkness.
Reserve your tickets today for this exciting event in Founders Memorial Amphitorium at BJU. You will be glad you did!
LIVING IN BABYLON: ANSWERS IN GENESIS AT BJU
Get your tickets now for Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis at Bob Jones University!
Living in Babylon comes to BJU Apr. 14, 2025, as Ken Ham and Dr. Owen Strachan bring the timeless power of Scripture to life for a changing world. as Ken Ham and Dr. Owen Strachan bring the timeless power of Scripture to life for a changing world.
Because God’s Word is a word for every generation and every culture, it inspires ultimate clarity, hope, and action. The light of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the light that brings every generation and every culture out of darkness.
Reserve your tickets today for this exciting event in Founders Memorial Amphitorium at BJU. You will be glad you did!
APRIL 1 DEADLINE
Early-bird pricing for BJU EDUCamp ends soon! Sign up for one of over 65 different camp opportunities; from computer programing to fencing to space leadership to baking, the possibilities are endless!
New this year is the On-Air and In-Person Communication camp. Step into the spotlight and develop the skills to inform, inspire, and engage an audience — whether on stage, behind a microphone or in front of the camera! Campers receive personalized feedback on their communication skills as well as get the chance to present in a TV studio, just like the pros.
Learn from Dr. Mary Mendoza, whose experience ranges from hosting a live cooking show to coaching presenters to improve their public speaking skills. She is a certified Master Trainer and has a wide range of educational experiences in media, communication and education.
Click to sign up for EDUCamp by April 1 to receive the Early-bird discount!
APRIL 1 DEADLINE
Early-bird pricing for BJU EDUCamp ends soon! Sign up for one of over 65 different camp opportunities; from computer programing to fencing to space leadership to baking, the possibilities are endless!
New this year is the On-Air and In-Person Communication camp. Step into the spotlight and develop the skills to inform, inspire, and engage an audience — whether on stage, behind a microphone or in front of the camera! Campers receive personalized feedback on their communication skills as well as get the chance to present in a TV studio, just like the pros.
Learn from Dr. Mary Mendoza, whose experience ranges from hosting a live cooking show to coaching presenters to improve their public speaking skills. She is a certified Master Trainer and has a wide range of educational experiences in media, communication and education.
Click to sign up for EDUCamp by April 1 to receive the Early-bird discount!
Employment Opportunities
BJU Faculty Positions
BJA Positions
Alumni Updates
Future Bruins
Quevedo, Rodrigo and Kaitlyn (Koch) ‘21, Isabel Kate, December 30, 2024
Zuehlke, Matthew ‘15 and Carrie (Hanna) ‘11, Joshua Aaron, December 20, 2024
Marriages
Kamibayashiyama, Danae Willis ‘24 to Paul ‘24, March 15, 2025
Deaths
Allen, John “Gettys” ‘63, March 8, 2025
Chevalier, Lynnette (Murr) ‘78, FE, February 22, 2025
Clark, Jone (Kelly) ‘67, March 18, 2025
Cole, Betty ‘50, February 25, 2025
Davis, Milton ‘64, March 18, 2025
Greemann, Kenneth ‘79, March 21, 2025
Hargis, Jim, RFS, March 15, 2025
Hastings, Louis ‘75, March 1, 2025
Hull, Arthur ‘80, FE, March 6, 2025
Johnson, Scott ‘85, March 12, 2025
Jones, Tammy ‘90, February 21, 2025
Lasley, Martin “Gene” ‘54, February 25, 2025
Leach, Janet (Pike) ‘95, March 5, 2025
Learn, Juanita ‘58, RFS, February 24, 2025
Lichius, Joseph ‘65 ICS, January 14, 2025
McCullough, Diana 1YB, March 1, 2025
Pike, Neville ‘51, February 18, 2025
Ramsey, Charles ‘55, March 7, 2025
Safstrom, Anna (Mitchell) ‘51, March 3, 2025
Stokes, Arthur ‘61, January 2, 2025
Taylor, Bob ‘62, RFS, February 27, 2025
Wiggins, Jonathan ‘10, March 18, 2025
Wilkens, Scott ‘85, February 23, 2025
*FE indicates a long-time former employee of BJU.
*RFS indicates a Retired Faculty or Staff of BJU.
Class Notes
Dave Bagnall ‘99 just joined WGI as the Chief Human Resources Officer.
