Steve Pettit has announced his resignation as president of Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. "My memories of the wonderful people, the incredible student body, and the perpetual blessings of God will linger with me throughout the rest of my life.". Dr. Steve Pettit "It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve as the president of Bob Jones University," Pettit said. A few days among the faculty and students will show you that. In a press release announcing his planned departure, Pettit gave thanks for students and staff at the schools. We are saved not because of our loveliness but Gods grace. Dan Calnon. Altizer, a Greenville native, said Pettit is committed to the schools creed, which is recited at every chapel service, and its conservative theological beliefs. The president of Bob Jones University, Steve Pettit announced his resignation on Thursday. Steve Pettit is stepping down as the president of Bob Jones University. They are arguing over making women submit to primitive ideology and controlling their attire? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Got a tip for a story? I am walking down a dark road with no light ahead. Pettit released the following statement on Lewis . About BJA. Bob Jones Board Chair Quits Amid Conflict With President - Inside Higher Ed We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. She also said there have been serious behind-the-scenes conflicts on the board. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sign up to get information about colleges, highest paying degrees, scholarships, and more! One of the most curious skirmishes in this tug-of-war occurred in 2022 through the schools bachelor of science degree in fashion design. Our Title IX Coordinator follows university policies and Title IX regulations to analyze any complaint, and, if necessary, conduct an investigation.. Bob Jones Sr., the universitys founder. Also, noting that the boards executive committee had a majority of members critical of Pettits administration, the letter asked the board to consider placing someone supportive of Pettit on the committee. Bob Jones University President Steve Pettit announced his resignation from his position as president, effective May 5, 2023. (RNS) The president of Bob Jones University, a prominent South Carolina evangelical school, has resigned, citing dysfunction and disunity on the schools board of trustees. It is common knowledge that the EC has multiple members who, over the past 18 months, have not been favorably inclined towards Dr. Pettit and his administration. Bob Jones University President Resigns: Understanding the Reasons and Bryan Fitzgerald, a 38-year-old Bob Jones alum and Presbyterian pastor from upstate New York, said hes been watching developments on campus from afar with concern. The Board is thankful for his presidency of nine years and his love for . CLICK HERE. From the moment I began, I have joyfully served the entire administration, faculty, and staff. No updates as to Lewis exit from the educational institution were made at the time of writing this article. John Lewis, the chair of Bob Jones University's Board of Trustees, announced his resignation Thursday. Bob Jones University board chair resigns - WSPA 7News Pettit also accused Lewis of displaying an uncaring or cavalier disregard for the cause of troubling financial numbers triggered by the ongoing dysfunction and uncertainty specifically pointing to shortfalls in the universitys current and projected financials as well as ongoing deficits in donations and enrollment that are directly linked to a loss of confidence in the universitys direction under the current board leadership., Pettit further accused Lewis of failing to report a matter to the universitys Title IX coordinator as required by law., This followed months of ignoring, minimizing and delaying the consideration of this issue, which arose from one trustees alleged public comment to an alumnus in the presence of a faculty member about whether female students clothing and female students athletes uniforms accentuate their boobs and butts,' Pettit wrote. He and his wife, Terry, spent five years at First Baptist Church of Bridgeport, Mich., where he served as youth pastor. We will update this story as we learn more. Lewis had served on BJUs board for 32 years and served as chair for seven, according to Pettits statement. In an email to trustees prior to this weeks meetings, President Pettit said: The bottom line, and the decision before you is this: I cannot continue to work in a relationship with Dr. John Lewis as chairman of the board, and I request that he step down from his position as chairman and off the Executive Committee at or before the March 29, 2023, board meeting. The chairman also reportedly had sensitive board documentation moved off BJUs secure server and onto a new computer. Rick Altizer, a former Bob Jones board member, said he has been concerned about the conflict between Pettit and the current board for some time. We wish him Gods best in his future endeavors.. Steve Pettit is also an alumni of the university. It does not store any personal data. Savannah Moss. Bob Jones president resigned over conflict with chairman, letters show In particular, he said, group members want more transparency on the board and better governance. He was the first President to not be related to Bob Jones Sr., the universitys founder. Bob Jones University Alumni Rally Around Embattled President He said recent changes at the school have made some older alums nervous but hes welcomed them. In the letter, published on a blog run by a former Jones faculty member, Pettit details his clashes with the chair of the schools board of trustees and Pettits concerns about the schools finances. Whatever good has happened it is because of the blessings of God and the humble service of His devoted people. Bob Jones president's resignation stands, despite board chair change Boards function under tight confidentiality, the letter said, according to a copy obtained by RNS. In the letter, published on a blog run by a former Jones faculty member, Pettit details his clashes with the chair of the schools board of trustees and Pettits concerns about the schools finances. In late March, Bob Jones University president Steve Pettit announced his resignation. We respectfully request that the Board immediately and publicly acknowledge that the Boards actions and lack of actions last week caused the majority of our constituency (on and off campus) to loseconfidence in the board and in BJU.. I am deeply humbled by the things God has done over the past nine years. I thought you all would appreciate seeing/hearing the heart of these kids after what can only be described as a heartbreaking day.. GREENVILLE The Board of Trustees at Bob Jones University has elected a new chairman after a tumultuous few weeks led to leadership questions. More than 7,500 supporters have signed a petition calling for Lewis, the chair of the universitys board, to resign. Despite this, the board voted last November to renew Pettits contract after more than 1,000 alumni turned out to show support for the embattled president. The Chair and the full board voiced overwhelming support to him, but each one of us respects his decision to resign and are deeply thankful for his years of dedicated service to the mission of BJU and its faculty, staff, and students. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve as the president of Bob Jones University, Pettit said in the release, according to the Greenville News. Camille Lewis also said the schools leaders have been known for keeping secrets and for their desire to control the lives of students. This conciliatory tone downplays the contentiousness of the conflict in recent months. Bob Jones University board chair resigns amid accusations of 'unethical After much prayer and consideration, however, I have decided that I cannot continue to serve as President of Bob Jones University if Dr. John Lewis remains Chairman of the Board, Pettit wrote, adding that if nothing changed by the end of March, he would resign. After much prayer and consideration, however, I have decided that I cannot continue to serve as President of Bob Jones University if Dr. John Lewis remains Chairman of the Board, Pettit wrote, adding that if nothing changed by the end of March, he would resign. "It has been one of the greatest privileges of. Bob Jones University President Resigns Amid 'Dysfunction - FITSNews Steve Pettit has announced his resignation as president of Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Trustees urged the university community to defeat the discord caused by selective postings on social media and claimed those who posted on social media were persons who are violating their duties to BJU and God.. Despite the schools past, which he acknowledged was problematic, Fitzgerald said there were many people on campus who cared for him as a student. BJU is a blight on our beautiful city. Any affable, charismatic person who is more liked than Bob Jones (Sr, Jr, III) is going to be a target, she said in an email to Religion News Service. Pettit is the first president in the schools history not to be related to the late evangelist Bob Jones Sr., who founded the school in 1927. Bob Jones University President Steve Pettit announced his resignation Thursday. On the day Pettit announced his resignation, a petition was started on Change.Org by the students and alumni asking for Lewis' resignation. This article was originally published at Ministry Watch. For example, when asked by BJUs Title IX coordinator to produce relevant excerpts of board meetings, Lewis reportedly responded by providing one set of minutes that were almost entirely redacted. Lewis also sent a letter to the Title IX coordinator asking the coordinator to suspend and postpone the inquiry and falsely accusing Pettit of trying to stage a coup, Pettit alleged. Greenville News 0:00 0:36 John Lewis, the chair of Bob Jones University's Board of Trustees, announced his resignation Thursday. Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private, non-denominational evangelical university in Greenville, South Carolina, . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The board leadership needs to decide this week which direction it will take: continue on the positive path that Steve Pettit and his team have taken (with board approval) or persist in their plans to revert to a more conservative style of standards and discipline., None of this is about biblical authority, the group said. These remain absolute and non-negotiable., According to Ministry Watch, tension between Lewis and Pettit led to the cancellation of a major event that had been in the planning stages for two years: Bruins Athletic Club 10 Year Anniversary Gala: An Evening with Trevor Lawrence, which was to feature the acclaimed Christian NFL quarterback.. Bob Jones Academy exists to assist like-minded Christian parents in challenging students to love Jesus Christ, to embrace God's truth, to exercise integrity, to pursue excellence, and to serve others. For example, he said, the school once banned earbuds or other headphones but eventually changed that policy. If Dr. Lewis remains the chairman of the board or a member of the Executive Committee, I am prepared to tender my resignation as president on March 31, 2023, to be effective immediately. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A reformed Bob Jones, theres an idea! Photo of Steve Pettit and BJU campus via Change.org petition calling for Lewis' resignation. What an embarrassment to the Kingdom. Bob Jones University president Steve Pettit resigns just months after According to some concerned alumni, Lewis, who is from Davison Mich., has mounted an unethical and unchristian campaign to oust the president. What happened to Steve Pettit? Pettit said on March 30 he would. 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Bob Jones University was accredited and regained its tax exemption under Lewis' tenure, the press statement said. The future of BJU requires the chairman and the president to work together, wrote Pettit in a March 21 letter that called for Lewis to resign. But either way, the fact remains: you will have to make a choice between two possible outcomes., You will have to make a choice between two possible outcomes.. Website Notifications Stay plugged in with push notifications about the top religion stories around the world. This afternoon, the BJU Board of Trustees regretfully accepted the resignation of Dr. Steve Pettit as president of Bob Jones University. The school is known for its museums collection of Renaissance and baroque religious art, its devotion to Shakespeare and opera, and its theater productions. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. New Zealands bind: Balancing Western security against Chinese trade, The Tao of Deception: A Summer Thriller by David Ignatius, Frances riots create opening for the far right. Bob Jones University Board Chairman Resigns Amid Pressure The school is known for its museumscollection of Renaissance and baroque religious art, its devotion to Shakespeare and opera, and its theater productions. BJU was not fully accredited until 2017, even though it was founded in 1927. Lewis reportedly moved executive meetings to the home of former BJU President Bob Jones III and held an executive committee meeting without notifying all board members. The Bob Jones University Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the re-election of Steve Pettit to a three-year term as President by an overwhelming majority on Thursday, November 17, 2022. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Pettit said that Lewis worked to honor the mission and vision of BJU.. May God bless the students, faculty, staff, administration, Steve Pettit, Dr John Lewis, and the board of Bob Jones University. All rights reserved. You may agree with some, all, or none of my reasons for reaching that conclusion. The letter also alleges the board chair tried to interfere with a Title IX investigation at the school. It . In March 2023, Pettit resigned, effective May 5, citing his inability to work with the chairman of the university's board of trustees. Photo via BJU. Reach her via email at dchhetri@gannett.com. Bob Jones University President Dr. Steve Pettit will resign at the end of the current school year. I wish Dr. Lewis Gods best, Pettit said. We believe it would accomplish much in the way of unity (both in the public eye of perception and in reality) by filling the EC position vacated by Tim Stanley with a board member who has been a strong advocate of Dr. Pettit.. They operate through rumor and innuendo, the letter claims. He obtained his Masters of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies from the university in 1980. "It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve as the president of Bob Jones University. If BJU goes back to strict fundamentalism and legalism and rules the school will close, BJU will no longer be their. They have been faithful and humble servants committed to the mission of BJU. . Lewis has made poor governance decisions, Pettit alleged. The school also had apologized in the past for mistreating students who had reported sexual assaults, which makes the alleged recent comments about female students and the possibility that they had been photographed without consent even more troubling, said Lewis. The chairman seems completely disinterested in the financial stability of the university.. Pettit submitted his resignation to the college's board of trustees Mar. 174. Over 3,000 supporters exceeding the number of students currently enrolled in the evangelical school, have signed the petition so far. It is unclear if Pettit will rescind his decision to leave the university. Devyani Chhetri covers South Carolina politics for the Greenville News. We Inform. Bob Jones University Board of Trustees release statement following As a lifelong Greenvillian its time that the bigoted idealism of BJU be shut down forever. The Board needs to decide on the future direction of the college Pettit or Chairman. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. An entrance sign at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Lewis had served on the board for 32 years, 7 as chair, according to the release. Used for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons. BJU board chairman reigns amid dispute with president | The State He will leave office at the end of the academic year in May. The trustee who allegedly took these photographs was not identified. My memories of the wonderful people, the incredible student body, and the perpetual blessings of God will linger with me throughout the rest of my life., But Pettit added he believes resigning is the Lords direction and the best step to take at this time., I encourage the Board, the administration, and the entire BJU community to continue our commitment to offering a world-class education with a biblical worldview..
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