Stephen Jones (administrator)

Stephen Benjamin Jones (born December 31, 1969) is a former 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.

For other people named Stephen Jones, see Stephen Jones (disambiguation).
Stephen Jones
Jones in 2008
4th President of
Bob Jones University
In office
2005–2014
Preceded byBob Jones III
Succeeded bySteve Pettit
Personal details
Born (1969-12-31) December 31, 1969
Greenville, South Carolina
Spouse(s)Erin Rodman Jones
Children3
ResidenceGreenville, South Carolina
Alma materBob Jones University

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. Originally Stephen Jones hoped his older brother, Bob IV, would "take the administrative side of the presidency" allowing Stephen to concentrate on the "preaching, traveling, [and] people side" of the position; but his brother left the university to become a freelance writer.[2] Like his father and grandfather before him, Jones took numerous roles in university plays and productions.[3]

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."[4]

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.[5] 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."[6] 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."[7] 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.[8] In April 2008 he told a reporter, "I don't think I have a political bone in my body."[9]

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.[10] During this period, he was "never fully disconnected," though sometimes he could only work a few hours a week. After spending three weeks at the Cleveland Clinic Pain Management Center in the summer of 2012, Jones returned to work, telling a reporter that his time of illness "grew the university family. Everyone came together in a humbling way."[11] Nevertheless, citing "persistence of my health issues," Jones resigned from the presidency of BJU on December 13, 2013 and was succeeded by Steve Pettit on May 10, 2014.[12]

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 Archived 2010-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Greenville Journal (April 4, 2008), 32.
  3. "Investiture of Stephen D. Pettit as Fifth President of Bob Jones University" "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2014-09-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link).
  4. Lyn Riddle, "Learning is Fundamental," Atlanta Constitution, December 31, 1995, M3.
  5. President profile, BJU website Archived 2010-02-21 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. 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.
  7. Washington Post article
  8. Greenville News, October 21, 2007.
  9. Greenville Journal (April 4, 2008), 32.
  10. BJU website (accessed October 21, 2011); David Gibson, "Bob Jones University Questions 'Fundamentalist' Label", Huffington Post, November 21, 2011; Heidi Willard, "Dr. Stephen Jones shares spiritual truths learned in physical trials," Collegian, February 3, 2012, 1; Greenville News, March 21, 2012.
  11. April A. Morris, "Back to School," Greenville Journal, (August 17, 2012), 9; "Dr. Jones Returns," The Collegian, September 7, 2012, 1. Jones told the reporter that he wanted "to hold on to the lessons that the Lord taught....Not everybody has to go through something like being leveled for 20 months to learn who He is."
  12. BJU website (accessed December 13, 2013); BJU website (accessed May 8, 2014).
Academic offices
Preceded by
Bob Jones III		 President of Bob Jones University
2005-2014		 Succeeded by
Steve Pettit
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