On May 20, 2025, the Bob Jones University Board of Trustees presented Dr. Bruce McAllister as the next president of Bob Jones University. Dr. McAllister was unanimously elected to the presidency. Dr. McAllister is a BJU alumnus and has been involved with ministry relations at the university for nearly 50 years.

Dr. Sam Dawson, chairman of the Board, cited Dr. McAllister’s character and his “deep institutional knowledge” as reasons for their choice.

Dr. McAllister stated in a live address held in Stratton Hall that he aims to “expand [the university’s] influence” and further BJU’s mission of learning, loving and leading. McAllister graduated with the 50th graduating class and hopes to be president of the institution during the centennial celebration.

Dr. McAllister served as the Vice President for Ministry at BJU for two years. Before that, he was at GFA Missions as their Director of Ministry. The university says that McAllister also held various teaching and directing roles at BJU for a total of 42 years. He has written articles and curricula on Christian living and leadership, led a prison ministry at Greenville Detention Center, and earned 4 degrees from BJU. The university believes that all of these roles and accomplishments have well equipped Dr. McAllister for his new role as the 7th president of Bob Jones University.

In the press release, Dr. McAllister revealed that his “immediate priorities are putting together a strong executive team…, working to further strengthen the total student experience, and continuing the emphasis on experiential learning.”

President Joshua Crockett will return to his position as senior pastor at Morningside Baptist Church on July 1, where he pastored for nearly a decade before he was named BJU president last year. His smaller, part-time role at BJU “will not include the title of president,” the university said, and his duties are yet to be determined by Dr. McAllister and the Board.