BJU to hire CEO, President Joshua Crockett to stay at university

Crockett considered for senior pastor position at Morningside Baptist Church

Jonathan Lovegrove, Editor-in-Chief • April 8, 2025

Dr. Joshua Crockett. Photo courtesy of BJU.

Bob Jones University plans to hire a CEO with executive experience as current BJU President Joshua Crockett is considered for senior pastor at Morningside Baptist Church. Crockett plans to remain in leadership at BJU. Following a difficult year, the move aims to solidify BJU’s leadership and direction amid financial challenges.

Crockett announced to faculty and staff that he plans to continue in his role as university president, but he sees his position as that of a campus pastor and mentor. He said he still has a pastor’s heart, which led him to seek candidacy to return as pastor at Morningside, where he had served as lead pastor prior to being named BJU president in 2024.

A release to Morningside Baptist Church members shared that “the Deacons voted to present to the congregation Dr. Josh Crockett as candidate for Senior Pastor of Morningside Baptist Church. He also plans to continue in a leadership role with Bob Jones University.”

The leadership announcement follows two recent changes at the top of BJU. After serving in the presidency since 2014, Dr. Steve Pettit resigned in 2023. For the 2023-2024 academic year, Dr. Alan Benson, former executive vice president for student development and ministry advancement, was named acting CEO while the BJU Board of Trustees completed a presidential search. On May 7, 2024, Crockett was selected for the position.

At the start of his presidency, Crockett emphasized rebuilding trust in an exclusive interview with The Collegian. Crockett set a goal to “move forward together as a unified school.”

Dr. Joshua Crockett in an exclusive interview with The Collegian. (Katelyn McKenney)

Crockett has led BJU through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which brought high winds, flooding and facility damage to campus.

Also during Crockett’s time as president, the university has gone through a round of both staff and faculty layoffs. In a public message to alumni, Crockett said that “We had to make some very difficult but necessary decisions. . . to right size our workforce by about 10%.”

Crockett has also brought changes to university chapel, with a focus on increasing student participation.

About the Contributors

Jonathan Lovegrove, Editor-in-Chief

Jonathan Lovegrove is 20 years old and is a business administration major at Bob Jones University. After serving on Bob Jones Academy’s student newspaper, The Triangle, Jonathan decided to bring his passion for digital media to The Collegian.

Katelyn McKenney, Photographer

Katelyn McKenney is a senior educational studies major. She is on staff as a photographer and is a part of the Chi Kappa Delta Dragons. Katelyn enjoys reading, singing, hiking and taking nature photos.