Stephen Jones (university president)

Stephen Jones

Stephen Jones, 2008
4th President of Bob Jones University
Term 2005 –
Predecessor Bob Jones III
Born December 31, 1969 (1969-12-31) (age 42)
Greenville, South Carolina
Alma mater Bob Jones University
Residence Greenville, South Carolina
Profession college president
Spouse Erin Rodman Jones
Children three

Stephen Benjamin Jones (born December 31, 1969) is the president of Bob Jones University. Born on the university campus, he graduated from Bob Jones Academy. In 1992 he received a bachelor's degree in public speaking from BJU and in 1996, a Master of Divinity. On the day he became University president in 2005, Jones also received a Ph.D. in Liberal Arts Studies from BJU.[1] Jones's wife, Erin Rodman Jones, who is the Director of the BJU Museum & Gallery, is also a BJU graduate. They have three children.

Before becoming president, Jones served BJU as a teaching assistant, a residence hall supervisor, and the vice president for administration. Stephen Jones is the son of Bob Jones III, the grandson of Bob Jones, Jr., and the great-grandson of Bob Jones Sr, the university's founder. His older brother, Bob Jones IV, is a freelance writer.[2]

Jones underwent a brief period of rebellion against his heritage and his parents' religious standards during his freshman year of high school, such as having a few hidden rock recordings—prohibited on the BJU campus—which he confessed to his father. "I thought he'd fly off the handle, but he didn't," Jones said. "Dad was very straightforward, but very forgiving and very supportive." The worst part was having others on campus learn about the demerits he received for the incident. "I was always the good boy, and it hurt when it came out."[3]

Stephen Jones serves on the boards of Gospel Fellowship Association (GFA), Jesus Saves Mission - USA, Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International, Evangelism Foundation, Inc., The Wilds Christian Camp and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.[4] He speaks regularly at fundamentalist churches and schools throughout the country and, when in Greenville, to the assembled students and faculty during the University's chapel hour. Early in his administration BJU was granted full accreditation by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

When, in 2005, he was asked by Newsweek if he wished to play a political role as had his predecessors at BJU, Jones replied, "It would not be my choice." Further, when asked if he felt ideologically closer to his father's engagement with politics or to other evangelicals who have tried to avoid civic involvement, he answered, "The gospel is for individuals. The main message we have is to individuals. We're not here to save the culture."[5] In a 2005 Washington Post interview, Jones dodged political questions and even admitted that he was embarrassed by "some of the more vitriolic comments" made by his predecessors. "I don't want to get specific," he said, "But there were things said back then that I wouldn't say today."[6] In October 2007 when Bob Jones III, as "a private citizen," endorsed Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination for president, Stephen Jones made it clear that he wished "to stay out of politics" and that neither he nor the University had endorsed anyone.[7] In April 2008 he told a reporter, "I don't think I have a political bone in my body."[8]

In the fall of 2010, Jones was "nearly incapacitated" after suffering a severely damaged nerve due to an ear infection; he took extended medical leave after experiencing persistent nausea, dizziness, and migraines.[9]

References

  1. ^ In 2008, Jones was asked by a reporter about being "a product of the continuum" of BJU education from preschool through his doctorate, and Jones responded that it "was wonderful for me.… There was stability to it for me. There are roots here. Rare in today's society.…And I have a core of friends here, some of whom go back to nursery school. We can almost finish one another's sentences." Mary Ann Pires, "Dr. Stephen Jones," Greenville Journal (April 4, 2008), 32. Jones also holds an honorary DD from the International School of Missions in Cebu City, Philippines. President profile, BJU website
  2. ^ Originally Stephen Jones hoped his brother would "take the administrative side of the presidency, and I'd do more of the preaching, traveling, people side [but] Bob felt he was cut out to be a writer. It did take some adjustment for me."Greenville Journal (April 4, 2008), 32.
  3. ^ Lyn Riddle, "Learning is Fundamental," Atlanta Constitution, December 31, 1995, M3.
  4. ^ President profile, BJU website.
  5. ^ Susannah Meadows, "Passing the Torch at Bob Jones U." Newsweek "Web Exclusive" [MSNBC link expired], January 29, 2005, hard copy at Fundamentalism File, Mack Library, BJU.
  6. ^ Washington Post article
  7. ^ Greenville News, October 21, 2007.
  8. ^ Greenville Journal (April 4, 2008), 32.
  9. ^ BJU website (accessed October 21, 2011); David Gibson, "Bob Jones University Questions 'Fundamentalist' Label", Huffington Post, November 21, 2011.

Academic offices
Preceded by
Bob Jones III
President of Bob Jones University
Since 2005
Succeeded by
Incumbent

External links