Events

Welcome Week

Welcome Week introduced the Class of 2027, BJU’s 100th graduating class, to campus life. With wide eyes and smiles, many in the freshman class began the college experience by moving into the residence halls. The Welcome Week theme—OWN IT—encouraged students to accept personal responsibility for their studies, personal relationships, and spiritual growth. The week sponsored “meet and greet” sessions for academic majors, orientation for new students, and special sessions for international students. Opening exercises and evangelistic meetings established the foundation for a successful year.

Society Rush & Induction

On September 8, the “Biggest Block Party of the Year” ushered in a night in which societies climaxed their competition for the attention and affection of the new freshman class. With the enticement of delicious food, rowdy games, and decorated tents, society members aided freshmen in their chose of a society. The following night, freshmen officially chose their society at Induction. Welcoming newcomers into society, current members introduced their freshman to the distinctive traditions of their new society. Since societies constitute an integral part of campus life, Rush and Induction activities marked the beginning of multiple opportunities to build friendships, develop leadership skills, and mature together in Christ.

Fall Chapel Theme

Throughout fall chapels Dr. Benson challenged the student body with the theme “Nehemiah: Life on Mission.” As he covered the book of Nehemiah, students learned how God greatly used a man who obeyed God no matter the overwhelming trials. With a focus on Nehemiah’s deep personal walk with God and his response to every obstacle with prayer and worship, Dr. Benson imparted practical advice for problem-solving as well as wisdom for living according to God’s plan no matter the situation. As students prepare to minister in a spiritually darkening world, this chapel theme inspired them to be shining lights for His glory.

Georgia Boy Choir

Coordinated by the School of Fine Arts and Communication, Artist Series programs offer students the experience of various musical and dramatic productions. These programs also provide connections with guest artists, who coach students in music, art, and theater. During the fall semester, conductor David White presented the Georgia Boy Choir. This ensemble of young men presented a variety of beautiful pieces, most of which were inspired directly from Scripture.

U Day

Accompanied by lively music and delicious food, U.Day celebrates the creativity, energy, and unity of the BJU family. Hosted on the last day of Homecoming weekend, this outdoor fair builds relationships between the University and the greater Greenville community. Students, faculty, and staff unite to display innovation through interactive booths and an artist market. U.Day, one of BJU’s largest public events, opens its arms to the Greenville community and shares with them the love of Christ.

Homecoming

During its annual Homecoming, Bob Jones University celebrated its 30,000 living alumni. This weekend encouraged graduates, an integral part of the University family, to greet old friends, make new ones, and create lasting memories. Each year, Homecoming sponsors class reunions and grants recognition awards in celebration of the faithfulness of alumni. By highlighting the achievements of graduates, Homecoming weekend inspires students to recognize the significance of their current academic endeavors, anticipate using their God-given gifts in future vocation, and await with enthusiasm their joining an expanding alumni community.

Turkey Bowl

The 2023 Turkey Bowl featured an intramural soccer match between the Sigma Alpha Chi Spartans and a combined team from the Chi Alpha Phi Cavaliers and the Pi Kappa Sigma Cobras. The hard-fought game demonstrated soccer skill and sportsmanship with the Spartans winning the championship 3-0. Before the Turkey Bowl commenced, the Nu Alpha Phi Flames competed against the Theta Sigma Chi Colts in another soccer match called the Turkey Cup, with the Colts securing the victory. New this year, the Turkey Platter offered food options for purchase. Spectators at the Turkey Bowl also enjoyed the concession stand’s offerings and events hosted by the Inter-Society Council (ISC), including delivering the game ball with drones, halftime activities, and a fall festival.

Romeo & Juliet

Fall Festival

The fourth annual Harvest Festival features a “treat trail” across campus along with unique costumes of students, faculty, and staff. Students flooded various stations to collect candy or take selfies with faculty members impersonating characters from Winnie the Pooh to Gandalf. This event, designed to deepen faculty-student relationships, provided an outlet for humor and ingenuity. Fall Festival, which followed the annual Turkey Bowl, fostered school spirit and unity as students engaged in various activities. The faculty chili cook-off, with the winner determined after tasting samples, kicked off the event. While some students enjoyed popcorn, cupcakes, and apple cider, others raced through an inflatable obstacle course. Despite cold temperatures, the night offered students a welcomed pause from their students as well as a memorable climax to the 2023 Turkey Bowl evening.

Christmas Celebration

In December, BJU celebrated its 34th annual Christmas lighting ceremony. A Christmas Village provided free family activities, including cookie decorating, storytelling, games, and crafts. The University sponsored food trucks and s’mores stations, and the Alumni Christmas Market highlighted a local collection of handcrafted jewelry, baked goods, and art. Caroling, hosted by the University Singers, was the central event of the evening. Hundreds of flickering candles signified the event’s popularity. Then, a magical array of lights illuminated campus—white bulbs outlining Rodeheaver Auditorium and purple and blue lights christening the surrounding trees and bushes. The evening of festivities concluded with “Carols & Classics,” a holiday program featuring the Symphonic Wind Band, Handbell Choir, University Chorale, and Concert Choir.

Classical Pops

During the spring semester, Grammy award winning conductor Richard Kaufman led the Symphony Orchestra in a Classical Pops Celebration. This crowd pleaser featured Hollywood Studio trumpeter Barry Perkins and BJU’s Megan Stapleton as guest artists; each soloist enthralled the crowd with their incredible musical abilities. Dr. Michael Moore humored the crowd with his solo performance of “The Typewriter.” In April, BJU presented Haydn’s Creation, an oratorio which tells the Genesis account of Creation as well as Milton’s Paradise Lost. The program features BJU’s choral department, the BJUSO, and guest performers Megan Stapleton, David Parker, and Joshua Wheeker to conclude the artist series season.

Bible Conference

The 2024 Bible Conference theme, “Look on the Fields: Cultivating a Heart for the Harvest,” emphasized evangelism, the natural result of believers’ changing their perspective from temporal to eternal. This mindset requires loving God and then loving others. Dr. Benson opened the conference on Tuesday, February 13, and five additional speakers spoke from the Word of God to students, faculty, and visitors throughout the rest of the week. The speakers included Jim Tillotson, Matt Morrel, Brent Belford, Dave Doran, and Billy Gotcher. This year BJU partnered with Dare for More, a ministry seeking to create an arm of prevention and intervention for women affected by trafficking, abuse, and poverty in Guatemala. The University set a target of $150,000. Student-initiated fundraisers and generous donations provided funds for Dare for More to purchase two vehicles to transport women and children to safe houses as well as carry supplies to training centers. These centers instruct women in trade so that they can become self-supporting. By sitting under the preaching of God’s Word and by raising funds for a ministry dedicated to evangelism, those attending Bible Conference end the week refreshed in soul and spirit.

Living Gallery

This year, Living Gallery, the University’s famous live art exhibition, celebrated its 27th year. Co-directed by Donnalynn Hess and Erin Jones, “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” featured a gallery of witnesses from both the Old and New Testaments. The message emphasized the cross at the center of God’s grand story as the necessary and brutal work of redemption. The suffering Messiah, the inevitable culmination of God’s plan, is yet to come, but until then we find strength in our faithful and strong God.

90 Years of Vintage

This year, the Vintage celebrates its 90th publication. Since 1934, this annual yearbook has provided a record of University students and personnel, as well as key events that take place in the academic year. Though the production has changed since the organization’s inception, each book remains a timeless repository of memories. No longer do writer compose on paper or typewriters, and no longer do designers cut photographs and place them in the books by hand. However, each book is a special keepsake for members of the University family. Yearbooks, by preserving a chapter in the University’s history, allow students, faculty, and staff to recall cherished memories. Additionally, each book presents a spiritual theme to edify its readers and is dedicated to one or more faculty members, staff members, or administrators who have faithfully served the University. Flipping through a yearbook’s pages transports the reader back to a time of camaraderie as well as academic and spiritual growth.