A Brief Reflection from Bruce McAllister
As he enters his second year as president of Bob Jones University, Dr. Bruce McAllister recorded a brief video message for our BJU community that reflects on a year of meaningful progress following a few challenging years. This past academic year was marked by thoughtful listening and evaluation, alongside intentional planning for the future. Through strategic planning, strong collaboration across the leadership team and careful financial stewardship, the University is positioned on a firmer foundation for the years ahead.
VINTAGE DEDICATEE
Dr. David Fisher has worked across the entire spectrum of BJU — BJU Press, Bob Jones Academy and Bob Jones University — and by the end of this academic year, May 2026, he will have completed 48 years of service to BJU.
Born and reared on the campus of Bob Jones University, Dave embodied Christlike love and leadership at an early age. Following in his parents’ footsteps, he earned a BS in Social Studies Education, uniting his father’s passion for history with his mother’s heart for teaching. While earning his MA in Church History, as a graduate assistant, Dave taught History of Civilization discussion classes.
In 1980 Dave began working at BJU Press as a textbook author, proving himself to be a careful researcher and scholar. He supervised the Photo Acquisition department and served on several committees that directed the development of the junior high and high school history curriculum. When Dave received his PhD in Church History, BJU Press published his dissertation as their World History for Christian Schools textbook. Afterward he authored two other textbooks — one in collaboration with his mentor Dr. Edward Panosian and Dr. Mark Sidwell — and taught History of Civilization virtually through nationwide synchronous live satellite feed.
In 1985 Dave joined the Bob Jones Academy faculty as a teacher of United States and world history, geography and American government. Dr. Fisher became the high school principal in 1999 and under his effective and enthusiastic leadership, BJA underwent many changes that allowed the school to blossom — most notably the increased admission of day students, the construction of the Markham Center and the fine arts celebration held for the Academy’s 75th anniversary. During this time, Dr. Fisher was an executive board member for the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools.
In 2005 Dr. Fisher was asked to serve as Provost in the Bob Jones University administration and worked to strengthen the academic prowess of the University. He led the deans, faculty and staff through meetings as they refined BJU’s curriculum, hiring practices and budgeting and provided for facility needs. Dr. Fisher managed the Academic Integrity Committee, seeking to protect students and faculty throughout difficult situations, and he oversaw the production of The Collegian as the lead faculty administration advisor, including as the university newspaper transitioned from print to a predominantly digital format.
For over twenty years, Dave has led European study tours that emphasize the history, context and impact of the Reformation. His most notable excursion took place for the Reformation’s 500th anniversary and included a Danube River cruise. Similarly, in 2019 Dave led a new study tour that focused on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, treating guests to a cruise on the Rhine River. Dr. Fisher carefully crafts these enriching experiences that students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends remember for a lifetime.
In 2025 Dr. Bruce McAllister appointed Dr. Fisher as Provost and Executive Vice President of Bob Jones University. In this role Dr. Fisher oversees the University’s academic affairs and assists the president with select operational decisions. As always, he seeks to honor God in and through the ministry of the University and gratefully invests in the hardworking faculty and staff who serve under him.
Dave has been married to Rachel, his wife and high school sweetheart, for nearly fifty years. They have two sons and one daughter.
World Cup Outreach
As the FIFA World Cup kicks off this summer, current BJU students and several alumni are involved in evangelistic outreach to visitors and fans. In February during Bible Conference, BJU students along with alumni raised over $60,000 to support Next Door Nations in their evangelistic efforts this summer.
Next month, Matt Barfield—who leads this outreach—will take three current students to San Francisco to witness to the national soccer teams from both Japan and Jordan. Partnering with Hamilton Square Baptist Church—led by BJU alumni—this team will share the gospel not only with the players but also with the fans before they enter the stadiums for the matches. Please pray for abundant opportunities to witness and that the gospel will take root in many hearts
BJU Students Abroad
This summer students from BJU are taking part in study abroad trips all over the world! Art + Design, Communication and English, Communication Sciences & Disorders, French, History and Political Science and Nursing courses are providing students with opportunities to expand their understanding of the world as they pursue a higher calling. Traveling to Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Uganda and Honduras, students are learning alongside BJU faculty to engage local cultures and better understand the Gospel’s impact in each setting.
Along with the study abroad opportunities, two faculty-led mission teams will also be out this summer. David and April Schwingle are currently leading a team to the United Kingdom for six weeks. And from May 25-June 13, a church-planting team led by Dr. Kevin Oberlin will travel through Central Asia, ministering and learning as they go!
Pray for our students and faculty as they take advantage of these unique opportunities this summer!
Fresh BJU Merchandise for the Centennial Year
As we step into BJU’s Centennial Celebration year, a fresh collection of merchandise will debut with the reopening of the Bruins Shop at the start of the 2026–27 academic year. While some items will highlight this historic milestone, much of the collection features new, everyday BJU-branded apparel and accessories the entire BJU community can enjoy well beyond the celebration year.
When you visit campus this centennial year, stop by the Bruins Shop—located in the Den—to explore what’s new.
Additional merchandise will be available online later this summer, with a direct link provided with the launch of the centennial website—making it easy to show your BJU spirit wherever you are.
A Gift for Your Newest Bruin
Has your young child (or grandchild) received their free Baby Brody stuffed animal? If you or someone you know has not had a chance to receive this gift, let us know through the form below. We look forward to sending you a special memento to celebrate this occasion and welcome your little one to the BJU community!
74 BJU SCOPE Graduates
This spring, 74 students from across the country completed their degrees online through SCOPE at Bob Jones University—a milestone that represents far more than diplomas earned.
Our graduates are already making a difference in their classrooms, crisis counseling ministries, athletic programs, churches, businesses, and homes nationwide. We were thrilled to see many of them at commencement and watch them celebrate not only this academic achievement but also years of perseverance, sacrifice, and faithful stewardship of the opportunities God provided.
From teachers returning to the classroom after decades away to professionals preparing to better serve families, students, and churches more effectively, SCOPE graduates are equipped to bring biblical truth, servant leadership, and practical skills directly into each sphere of influence.
Ready to start or complete your undergraduate degree? Discover an affordable, flexible, and biblically-centered education that fits your life. SCOPE can help. Attend our virtual event on June 16, 2026, and learn how to get $500 off your first SCOPE class in your undergraduate degree program.
Stay until the end to find out how to unlock and apply your $500 savings. Eligibility requires acceptance into an undergraduate degree program.
Hannah appreciated being able to continue working while deepening her education through a flexible online format. “It allowed me to work and do my coursework online, so it was very flexible and very helpful. I could take all of the skills I learned in undergrad and now transform that and learn on a deeper level.”
Chris chose SCOPE because he wanted an education grounded in God’s Word while balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. “I was excited to get my degree through Bob Jones University, because it is centered around God's Word. What we find in education is there's a lot of other avenues where people began to push their agendas or ideologies that are not necessarily Bible-based, and so the program gave us a worldview of education that was seen through the biblical worldview lens.”
Returning to school after two decades away, Akemi appreciated the flexibility and support that allowed her to continue investing in her family while earning her degree. “With SCOPE, I was able to balance home life and family life so that I could still be present with my family. The advice I would give: go ahead and do it! At the end of the day, I’m so pleased with the education I got!”
After attending and counseling at a marriage conference, Danielle and her husband realized they needed better training to help the families they were counseling. Through SCOPE, she was able to pursue that calling while continuing ministry and family responsibilities. “SCOPE helped me unlock a dream I’ve always had. I wouldn’t be here now without that online experience.”
Summer Service
Hundreds of BJU students will be serving across the nation and around the world this summer!
From mission trips to summer camps to internships to non-profits to local church ministry, BJU students will have a myriad of opportunities to serve the Lord and others with their summer months. Like in previous summers, BJU staff members from The Center for Leadership Development and the Alumni Relations office will visit camps and ministries where our alumni and students are ministering—for this year, they will travel out west!
Pray for these servants as they seek to learn more about who God is and pursue a higher calling with their “time off” from school!
Employment Opportunities
BJU Faculty/Staff Positions
BJA Positions
Alumni Updates
Future Bruins
Groves, John ’20 and Hannah (Oliver) ’20, Wilhelmina Roy Charlotte, March 21, 2026
Jueckstock, Jordan ’09 and Jessica (Andrews) ’08, Joelle Amethyst, April 14, 2026
Knutson, Tyler ’18 and Julieta (Quaglia) ’17, Charlotte Anne, February 10, 2026
Pittack, Nathan, ’17 ’19 and Sarah (Wilson) ’18, Vivian Lyra, April 22, 2026
Rush, Jared ’15 and Meg (Willis) ’15, Zoe Rebekah, February 11, 2026
Marriages
Shelton: Steven ‘24 to Lydia (Flynn) ‘23, July 26, 2025
Deaths
Anderson, Saundra (Sykes) ’63, April 27, 2026
Bonikowsky, Elvin (Al) ’71, May 7, 2026
Cole, Carol (Meisberger) ’73 FE, May 9, 2025
Craig, LaVerne (Craig) ’75, April 23, 2026
Darlington, Kent Howell ’62, April 12, 2026
Dunlap, Dorothy (Bourne) ’48, May 3, 2026
Dunlap, William Crawford ’50, December 24, 2019
Fry, Russell Raymond ’48, March 4, 2017
Gibbs, Carol (White) ’74, April 21, 2026
Hickok, Kirk Charles ’73, May 13, 2026
Howe, Tammy (Bachman) ’90 FE, December 17, 2024
Jackson, Dale Walker ’59, May 1, 2026
Kellogg, Robert Keene ’58, April 26, 2026
Kuhn, Barbara (Reagan) ’80, April 25, 2026
McCarty, Sharon (Dawson) ’01 FE, May 4, 2026
Patterson, Sharon (Williams) ’78, April 28, 2026
Rex, Mary Edna ’51, April 22, 2026
Riggs, Joseph Dale ’79, April 15, 2026
Riley, Michael Noel ’68, April 28, 2026
Sims Jr., Thomas Leslie ’98, August 16, 2025
Stansbury, James Edward ’90, May 9, 2026
Sutera, Louis ’53, April 16, 2026
Teeter Jr., Howard Ellsworth ’80, May 11, 2026
Wagner, U. Dewaine ’81, March 18, 2026
Class Notes
Amanda Baker ’06, after finishing her degree in Education, taught in Christian schools in Georgia and Virginia. In 2017, the Lord called her to England as a missionary. In May of 2026, she will be joining a church-planting team of missionaries in Grosseto, Italy.
John Grantz ’84 is now the full-time choir and orchestra director and office manager at Volusia County Baptist Church, Orange City, FL
Chris Koons ’22 graduated from University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville with Doctor of Medicine. Hired at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland Ohio as a resident physician in the Anesthesia Department.
Daniel ’20, ’22 and Meagan (Drinnon) Smitley ’23, ‘25 are beginning deputation through Gospel Fellowship Association Missions as they seek to serve at Foundation Baptist College in Edmonton Alberta, Canada alongside other BJU Alumni Joel and Sarah Arnold. Daniel is currently working on a PhD in Theology from Bob Jones Seminary. Having both worked at BJU (Daniel as a Dorm Supervisor 2022-26, Meagan in the Student Life Office 2025-26), they are excited to be able to take this experience to serve Western Canada and train ministry leaders for Canadian churches. See this link if you would be interested supporting their work.
