2026 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 seven students $1,000 each to be applied to their school accounts.
2026 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 seven students $1,000 each to be applied to their school accounts. Click below to read the names and alumni parents!
A FIRST FOR BJU
In the fall of 2023, our BJU Global Challenges course undertook a real-world problem, helping farmers in the dry corridor of Central America grow food with very limited water. The class designed a low‑water aquaponics farming system which used a mechanism called a bell syphon. Along the way, they invented a new and improved bell syphon design and that innovation was submitted for patent review.
Four weeks ago, the United States Patent and Trademark Office officially issued this invention as Patent No. 12,553,453!
The patent is owned by Bob Jones University, and the named inventors are Dr. Bill Lovegrove, an engineering professor, along with graduates Shane Lott and Dylan Winnberg, who completed the work as undergraduate students.
This accomplishment represents the first known patent awarded to BJU students for undergraduate research.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
This year’s recipient of the BJU Excellence in Teaching Award from South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) is Vickie Britton. Vickie joined the Bob Jones University faculty in August 2004 after a dedicated 23-year career teaching physical education to middle and high school students. Now a valued member of the Division of Health, Exercise and Sport Science, she has excelled in both residential and online instruction, and this year spearheaded an accreditation application to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Provost, Dr. David Fisher, described Vickie as inspirational to “both her students and faculty colleagues through her enthusiastic commitment to staying current in her academic field and continually developing her pedagogical skill.” Students affirm this sentiment by consistently commending Vickie for her excellent teaching, her expertise and her genuine care. One student said, “she is extremely kind and involved in students’ lives—her enthusiasm for teaching spreads to her students.”
In addition to teaching courses in exercise and wellness, Vickie draws on her strong community connections and extensive professional experience to create real‑world learning opportunities for students through internships and partnerships with local organizations. She holds degrees from Furman and Bob Jones University in health and exercise science and health and physical education. Her certifications include ACSM Exercise Physiologist, ACSM Personal Trainer, Exercise is Medicine and NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Beyond the classroom, Vickie founded and sponsors the Exercise and Sport Science Student Association. She serves the university community by providing individualized fitness programs, exercise classes and coaching. She is also an active member of the Greenville Track Club and has completed 16 marathons.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
This year’s recipient of the BJU Excellence in Teaching Award from South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) is Vickie Britton. Vickie joined the Bob Jones University faculty in August 2004 after a dedicated 23-year career teaching physical education to middle and high school students. Now a valued member of the Division of Health, Exercise and Sport Science, she has excelled in both residential and online instruction, and this year spearheaded an accreditation application to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Provost, Dr. David Fisher, described Vickie as inspirational to “both her students and faculty colleagues through her enthusiastic commitment to staying current in her academic field and continually developing her pedagogical skill.” Students affirm this sentiment by consistently commending Vickie for her excellent teaching, her expertise and her genuine care. One student said, “she is extremely kind and involved in students’ lives—her enthusiasm for teaching spreads to her students.”
In addition to teaching courses in exercise and wellness, Vickie draws on her strong community connections and extensive professional experience to create real‑world learning opportunities for students through internships and partnerships with local organizations. She holds degrees from Furman and Bob Jones University in health and exercise science and health and physical education. Her certifications include ACSM Exercise Physiologist, ACSM Personal Trainer, Exercise is Medicine and NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Beyond the classroom, Vickie founded and sponsors the Exercise and Sport Science Student Association. She serves the university community by providing individualized fitness programs, exercise classes and coaching. She is also an active member of the Greenville Track Club and has completed 16 marathons.
Centennial Celebration Key Dates
For this academic year, we were privileged to bring a little BJU to you during our 13 regional gatherings over the past two semesters. From Florida to California to Pennsylvania and beyond, many of our alumni and friends came out to reconnect and hear first-hand what the Lord is up to at BJU.
Next year, we are really looking forward to seeing you back at BJU during our Centennial Celebration. More details will be communicated in the coming months, but we wanted to highlight some key dates associated with our milestone year.
JUNE
- Centennial Website Launch
AUGUST
- Opening Exercises — Aug 24, 7:00 PM in FMA (featuring the new freshmen class and the centennial video premiere)
- New BJU & Centennial Merchandise Available
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
- Heritage Day Chapel — Sept 30 & Oct 1 in Rodeheaver Auditorium
NOVEMBER
- BJU Up Close — Nov 12
- Homecoming Weekend — Nov 13-14
DECEMBER
- Christmas Celebration & Lighting Ceremony — Dec 4 beginning at 4 p.m.
- Christmas Vespers — Dec 11, 7:30 p.m. in Rodeheaver Auditorium
FEBRUARY
- Bible Conference — Feb 15-19
APRIL
- Campus Connect Day — April 8 (no classes; a specially designed day for students)
- Centennial Celebration Concert — April 30, 7:30 p.m. in Rodeheaver Auditorium
MAY
- Baccalaureate & Legacy Ceremony — May 6 at 7 p.m. in FMA
- Legacy Reception (for BJU Legacy graduates & families) — May 6 at 8 p.m. on Rodeheaver Auditorium Plaza
- Commencement — May 7 at 2 p.m. in FMA
Centennial Celebration Key Dates
For this academic year, we were privileged to bring a little BJU to you during our 13 regional gatherings over the past two semesters. From Florida to California to Pennsylvania and beyond, many of our alumni and friends came out to reconnect and hear first-hand what the Lord is up to at BJU.
Next year, we are really looking forward to seeing you back at BJU during our Centennial Celebration. More details will be communicated in the coming months, but we wanted to highlight some key dates associated with our milestone year.
JUNE
- Centennial Website Launch
AUGUST
- Opening Exercises — Aug 24, 7:00 PM in FMA (featuring the new freshmen class and the centennial video premiere)
- New BJU & Centennial Merchandise Available
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
- Heritage Day Chapel — Sept 30 & Oct 1 in Rodeheaver Auditorium
NOVEMBER
- BJU Up Close — Nov 12
- Homecoming Weekend — Nov 13-14
DECEMBER
- Christmas Celebration & Lighting Ceremony — Dec 4 beginning at 4 p.m.
- Christmas Vespers — Dec 11, 7:30 p.m. in Rodeheaver Auditorium
FEBRUARY
- Bible Conference — Feb 15-19
APRIL
- Campus Connect Day — April 8 (no classes; a specially designed day for students)
- Centennial Celebration Concert — April 30, 7:30 p.m. in Rodeheaver Auditorium
MAY
- Baccalaureate & Legacy Ceremony — May 6 at 7 p.m. in FMA
- Legacy Reception (for BJU Legacy graduates & families) — May 6 at 8 p.m. on Rodeheaver Auditorium Plaza
- Commencement — May 7 at 2 p.m. in FMA
$25,000 Gift Supporting Music Education Students
Bob Jones University has received a $25,000 gift from Admiral Vance and Charlynne Harris Frye, a 1958 graduate of BJU, which provides immediate financial assistance to students majoring in Music Education.
These scholarships will provide financial aid to students who demonstrate academic excellence, strength, musical promise, and a commitment to becoming future educators. The Fryes’ contribution reflects their support for Christian education and their desire to help prepare the next generation of music teachers.
“Gifts like these are transformative for our Music Education students,” said Emily Waggoner, Chair of the Division of Music at Bob Jones University. “A bachelor’s in music education is a demanding yet rewarding degree that requires dedication, focus and rigorous academic work. A monetary scholarship gives our students more freedom to dedicate their full energy to becoming the best music educators they can be. We are very grateful to alumni who choose to invest in the future of music in our schools.”
The scholarship will enhance opportunities for students enrolled in one of the university’s most rigorous programs, reducing financial barriers and supporting their training as classroom and ensemble leaders.
The Division of Music, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, is known for its strong foundation in musical excellence, pedagogy and service. Graduates work in public and private schools, churches and community arts organizations nationwide. The Fryes’ gift enhances BJU’s ability to train skilled musicians who are prepared to influence the next generation.
ALUMNI DAY AT THE BASEBALL GAME
Mark your calendar for Alumni Day at the ballpark on April 11! Alumni are invited to join us at Conestee Park at 840 Mauldin Rd, Greenville, SC 29607 for a fun-filled day of baseball, featuring free snacks plus a complimentary school spirit item. During the 12 p.m. game, you can also purchase limited-edition merchandise. Enjoy a doubleheader as the BJU Bruins face Baptist University of Florida at noon and again at 3 p.m. We hope to see you at the ball game!
Employment Opportunities
BJU Faculty/Staff Positions
BJA Positions
Alumni Updates
Future Bruins
Black, Nate ’08, and Angela (Stockard) ’13, Lauren Victoria, February 21, 2026
Emery, James ’21, and Anna, Lorraine Elizabeth, August 4, 2025
Melchert, Randy ’06 ‘09, and Lydia (Folkers) ‘15, Daniel George, January 23, 2026
Marriages
Ziemer: Parker ‘23 to Sophie, December 16, 2023
Deaths
Bingham, William Douglas ’83, March 3, 2026
Cummings Dr., Malcolm Stanley ’54 ’56 ‘67, March 9, 2026
Jones, Robert Carey ’64, February 26, 2026
Laird, Lawrence Morgan ’49, April 30, 2015
Marsh, Judith Ann ’66, February 7, 2026
Miller, William Carl ’51, February 17, 2026
Orozco, Mary (Mulfinger) ’96, February 24, 2026
Schaper, Margaret (Smith) ’43, February 2026
Voss, Victor Norman ’70, February 26, 2026
Weiss, Bodie Hubert ’84, June 24, 2020
Weiss, Kathryn Lynn ’84, February 16, 2026
West, Glen Allen ’70, February 17, 2026
Class Notes
Forrest, Dan ’99, ’02 has been awarded the 2027 Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission which will premiere at the 2027 ACDA National Conference in Minneapolis, MN in March of 2027.
McQuaid, Dave ’89 ’05, has been named the new president and CEO of VantagePoint Marketing, a nationally recognized B2B marketing agency headquartered in Greenville, SC. Dave joined VantagePoint in 2004 as creative director. He rose steadily through the ranks, advancing to vice president of creative and digital and, most recently, chief operating officer. Before VantagePoint, he served as creative director at Bob Jones University for 15 years.
Stauffer (Beck), Rachel ’14 was recently named a 2026 Palmetto Gold Honoree. Rachel is an Infection Prevention Senior with Prisma Health in Greenville, SC and holds her RN, MSN, BSN, and CIC certifications.
