Dr. Bob Jones III was awarded the 2010 Distinguished Servant Award by the Alumni Association Executive Committee for over 50 years of dedicated service to BJU, the community, the state and the nation.

Dr. Jones received a bachelor of arts degree in 1959 and a master of arts degree in 1961, both in interpretative speech from BJU.  He served in numerous capacities at the University, including that of speech teacher, assistant dean of men, assistant to the president, and vice president. He was appointed president in 1971.

During his leadership as president, BJU’s outreach expanded to include such ministries as the BJU Press, Show My People (a nationally broadcast television program), BJ LINC (Live Interactive Network Classroom), BJ HomeSat, pastors seminars, Friendship Dinners, the Living Gallery, and the Community Service Council for student outreach efforts.

Having a burden for both the local church and Christian education, he travels extensively—preaching in numerous churches and speaking at Christian educators conferences around the country.  He has worked hard to keep tuition costs affordable and has established numerous scholarship funds to assist those seeking a Christian education at BJU.

His burden for evangelism led him to establish two programs to assist financially in the training of foreign nationals. To date, 44 Timothy and 99 WORLD Fund students have been prepared at BJU for work in ministry and in various secular fields in their native countries.