the BJU Alumni Podcast

When faced with the decision of whether or not to keep going, Joshua Balasa, a 2020 graduate from Bob Jones University with a degree in math education, found himself seeking the advice and help of others. He credits his friends, his Biblical counselor, and most of all, the foundational truths of God's Word that were cemented in his mind during his time at on campus at BJU. This is Joshua's...

How does an in-home physical therapist end up in the statehouse? What do you do when faced with a dramatic and unexpected life change? How do you balance all of your roles, both personal and professional, in way that honors the Lord? Blair Frye graduated from BJU in 1998 with a degree in pre-physical therapy and hasn't stopped moving since! Listen as Blair shares all the ways that the Lord has...

What do Wallace, MI, Cleveland, TN, and Greenville, SC, all have in common? The common thread that weaves this story together is the strongest of human bonds: family. Evelyn Newlin first decided to attend Bob Jones College back in 1944, when traveling out of state was much more involved than it is in 2023! As a result, three generations of her family have attended BJU and many souls have been impa...

Can you name a tech brand older than Facebook and Twitter? SermonAudio has been on the internet for over 20 years; long enough to watch technology change rapidly. Steven Lee founded SermonAudio with the intention to serve people through the power of preaching. From uploading cassette tapes in his small home office to opening The Vault at Bob Jones University, Steven's story is remarkable and i...

How much impact does the first semester of college have on a student's future success? Dr. Rebecca Weier, Director of First Year Experience at Bob Jones University, shares the strategic approach her department takes when it comes to serving first year students and their parents. The many faces of FYE come together in exciting ways to make that first year of school a rewarding time and set the...

As the 100th graduated class of Bob Jones University, begins the fall semester of their first year on campus, come along with Alumni Relations as we explore a brand-new initiative on campus that promises to give every undergraduate student at least two intentional experiential learning opportunities before they graduate. Follow BJU Alumni Relations for more stories from the many faces of BJU: Face...

What does the term "Acting CEO" mean? Who is Alan Benson? And what can students expect to experience at Bob Jones University these days? This episode of the BJU Alumni Podcast has all these answers and more! As the 100th graduating class of Bob Jones University begins the fall semester of their first year, acting CEO Dr. Alan Benson shares how the mission continues through the commitment...

When the Division of Music at Bob Jones University announced the gift of an amazing instrument from a generous alum, we had to know more. Listen as John Adair, a 1961 graduate with a ministry degree, shares his testimony of God's blessing on his life. From a pizza parlor piano to becoming the exclusive dealer of Yamaha's best pianos, John's journey has been nothing short of marvelous....

Recently Rev. Wayne Joyner opened up to us in an honest and authentic conversation about the highs and lows of pastoral ministry. Wayne graduated from Bob Jones University in 1981 and has served as a pastor in various ministries since that time. Wayne talks about the hardest trial his family faced while in the pastorate, the joy that he experiences from serving his congregation, and what it took f...

Join Suzanne and others in supporting future alumni and BJU here: https://give.bju.edu/ This "Bonus" Story of God's Grace features a historic moment in the history of Bob Jones University and the alumna that started a movement to support future alumni in a special way. Suzanne Manning received her degree from BJU in 2000 and 23 years later found herself burdened to give back. What fo...

It took a while for Tom Beck to find his way. After graduating in 1982 from Bob Jones University with a degree in speech education, Tom found himself feeling like a failure. An earnest desire to seek God's will and a heaping helping of patience allowed Tom to recognize the opportunities he was being prepared for in the workplace, despite not being a preacher, a missionary, or a Christian schoo...

When Kelly North dropped out of college and joined the Air Force, she seemingly gave up on her childhood dream of becoming a teacher. Kelly never imagined that one day she would lead a team of people who support teachers, parents, and students alike. Homeschooling three children, returning to the workforce, and 10 years of finishing her college diploma at Bob Jones University, one class at a time,...

20% of college graduates work in a different field than the one written on their undergraduate diploma. Today's BJU alum is no exception! Dr. Andrew Verdin graduated from BJU with a marketing degree before finding out that God's path for him was different than what he initially imagined. Obstacles and discouragement abounded on the road to God's calling in Andrew's life. Yet despit...

2020: the year no one remembers fondly. Yet today's BJU alum found her way in the will of God despite being laid off from the job she enjoyed and seeing the doors shut on multiple other opportunities. Kayla Sulaiman graduated from Bob Jones University in 2016 with her bachelor's and 2018 with her master's in communication but it wasn't until a global pandemic forced her to take a g...