New president at helm of Bob Jones University a year after former’s conflict with board

By David Ferrara

GREENVILLE — Bob Jones University has chosen a new president to lead the influential private evangelical school, a year after disagreements over vision and politics between the predecessor and the university’s board brought resignations. Josh Crockett, senior pastor at Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville and a 2001 BJU graduate, was selected with “overwhelming support” of the university’s board this week. Crockett succeeds Alan Benson, who had served as interim president since May 2023, and BJU’s former president Steve Pettit, who stepped down just months after renewing his contract.

Pettit’s abrupt resignation came after letters showed he had serious concerns about then-board chairman John Lewis’ leadership, alleging he had adopted a “posture of secrecy and privacy,” consolidated personal power on the board and obstructed a Title IX investigation. Lewis stepped down a week after Pettit announced his resignation and was replaced as chairman by long-time board member Sam Dawson. Dawson acknowledged the intensive search for a suitable successor to Pettit during an announcement event May 7.

Transition and Priorities

Crockett has been signed to a five-year contract as president of Bob Jones University, a shift from the typical three-year contracts the board has signed off on in the past. Dawson credited this to how strongly the board supports Crockett as president. “Our commitment to support him is united,” Dawson said. Crockett said that one of his first priorities as president is to increase enrollment, while continuing to fulfill the mission of the school.

Maintaining Accreditation and Addressing Concerns

Crockett said that he wants to maintain national accreditation and keep students engaged in the community. His predecessor broke an isolationist approach that had been long held by the university, particularly in 2017 when Pettit restored BJU’s national accreditation and its federal nonprofit status after decades without it. When asked about reaching out to the victims of the GRACE Report, an independent report on how the school has dealt with sexual abuse over several decades, Crockett said he will care for and listen to victims.

“At the different ministries I’ve worked with, we’ve recognized this is something that needs to be reported and taken seriously,” Crockett said. “Victims need to be heard and helped.”

The 2014 report concluded that university employees weren’t properly trained to handle such cases and victims seem to have been blamed. The school was criticized in the report for its usage of a confrontational counseling method, which it continues to employ. Crockett added that if reporting procedures for victims of sexual assault have not been changed in light of the GRACE Report, it “certainly should be a priority” and he will ensure of it.

Prior Experience

Prior to being chosen as BJU president, Crockett served as senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church and head of Indiana Christian Academy in Anderson, Indiana. Since 2015, Crockett has served as senior pastor at Morningside.

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