BJU Board Invests Steve Pettit as BJU’s Fifth President

GREENVILLE, SC –  Larry Jackson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Bob Jones University, and the members of the Bob Jones University Board of Trustees officially invested Steve Pettit as BJU’s fifth president during a ceremony this morning in the Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium on the BJU campus.

Family, friends, and community leaders joined BJU faculty, staff and students for Pettit’s investiture. Elected in May, Pettit is the first president in the 88 year history of BJU not related to the founder, Bob Jones Sr.

“I’m thankful God led us to Steve Pettit as our new president,” said BJU Board of Trustees Chairman Larry Jackson. “Pettit has hit the ground running and I am confident he will continue to support the university mission and build on the legacy of those who served before him.”

Speakers for the event included South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, James Flanagan, Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) Commission Chairman and President of Luther Rice University, BJU faculty representative Ray St. John, BJU Men’s President of the Student Leadership Council Matthew Arnold, BJU alumnus and attorney at law Sarah Merkle, former BJU President Stephen Jones, and Martin Herron, Pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Barriguda, Guam.

Pettit was joined by his mother, Elinor Pettit of Denver, Colorado, as well as his wife, Terry, and their four children: Rebecca Pettit of Richmond, Virginia, Rachel Pettit Bercot and husband, Ethan, of Richmond, Virginia, Stephen Pettit and wife, Bethany, of Greenville and Michael Pettit of Greenville.

Additionally, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, Secretary of State Mark Hammond, State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, Greenville Mayor Knox White, Greenville County Council Chairman Bob Taylor and other elected officials attended the ceremony. Although unable to attend, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Congressman Trey Gowdy and Congressman Jeff Duncan sent representatives.