This year, it is our privilege to announce that the 2025 Vintage is being dedicated to not one, but two outstanding faculty members. These co-dedicatees have demonstrated decades of faithful service, academic excellence, and Christlike character at Bob Jones University.
Linda Abrams
Throughout her ministry at Bob Jones University, Linda Abrams has exemplified a dedication and passion for education that inspire her colleagues and students. By the end of this academic year, May 2025, Linda will have completed 43 years of service to BJU.
Linda received a BA in History from Berry College and an MA in Modern European History from the University of Maryland. She also completed graduate work in Political Science from American Public University. She likewise holds a Certificate in Online Teaching from the University of Wisconsin. Her expertise spans eighteenth- and nineteenth-century European history as well as American government, areas of study to which she has made significant contributions through her teaching career and scholarship.
As the founder and director of BJU’s Center for Effective Teaching and Engaged Learning (CETEL), Linda has been instrumental in enhancing the pedagogical skills of BJU faculty. She directs activities and projects for new faculty members; the CETEL May Institute, which provides professional development sessions for faculty members; and “Edubreaks,” seminars on special topics relative to teaching expertise. Through these contributions, Linda seeks to improve teaching effectiveness and foster experiential learning on campus. According to colleagues, Linda’s efforts have elevated the teaching standards at BJU, making her an invaluable asset to the University. “Linda is a teacher’s teacher,” said a friend, “and she understands the needs of both faculty members and students. With this understanding, she empowers others to succeed.”
Linda’s commitment to professional development is evident through her continuous engagement with modern teaching methods, participation in education conferences, and extensive research on educational theory. For twenty-two years she has served as an advisor to the BJU delegation to the South Carolina Student Legislature, leading the group to win “Best Delegation” award fifteen times.
In addition to her academic and administrative roles, Linda is a respected political analyst. National media outlets such as The Boston Globe, The Charlotte News and Observer, Die Zeit, and Bloomberg News have featured her interviews, and Greenville’s WYFF 4 News frequently highlights Linda as a political analyst. Her expertise lies in the intersection of conservative Christianity and the American political system.
Linda’s dedication to education extends beyond the classroom. She has led study abroad courses to France and missions teams to rural Kenya and urban South Africa. Her extensive travels enrich her teaching, and she believes integrating literature, music, and art into her classes offers students a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter. Actively involved in her church, she serves in the nursery and teaches Sunday school to elementary and junior high young people. Linda has also completed numerous language courses at BJU to better engage with her church’s Spanish-speaking ministry. Linda enjoys traveling with her husband (retired faculty member Carl Abrams), spending time with her grandchildren, and cooking.
Dr. Dan Olinger
Over his years of ministry at Bob Jones University, Dr. Dan Olinger has exemplified the qualities of a faithful servant of Jesus Christ: “in work, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). By the end of this academic year, May 2025, Dan will have completed 49 total years of service to BJU.
Having earned a PhD in Theology from Bob Jones University, Dan has taught courses in theology, New Testament, and Old Testament, with special interest in ecclesiology and the Pauline Epistles. As Chair of the Division of Bible, he has been instrumental in shaping undergraduate and graduate theological education at BJU. For 18 years he has led the BJU summer ministry team to Africa, extending his influence and ministry beyond the classroom.
Dan’s commitment to biblical education is also evident through his extensive teaching experience internationally. He has taught Bible courses in China, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Saipan, St. Vincent, South Africa, and Zambia. According to a current BJU Seminary student, Dan’s global teaching experiences enrich his classes, providing students with a broad perspective on biblical studies.
In addition to teaching, Dan has served on the boards of Mission to Haiti and The Shanghai Institute of Health Sciences. He has written extensively for BJU Press publications and speaks regularly at churches, camps, and educational conferences. “His dedication to making Bible teaching understandable and lively is a hallmark of his career,” says a colleague. Dan hopes his students will not only be well acquainted with but also lovers of God’s Word. Dan’s approach to Bible teaching goes beyond head knowledge, for he emphasizes the practical application of biblical truth, aiming to instill a heartfelt understanding of the Bible in his students. He is a continual learner, always seeking to grow and improve in his field.
During Dan’s early career, which included five years as an English Graduate Assistant while completing his seminary degree, he honed his writing skills. His work at BJU Press, which included drafting positional statements for the institution, reflects his commitment to the University’s liberal arts focus that aims to develop the whole person. In his current role Dan reflects the University’s pursuit of academic excellence, but he likewise maintains a strong focus on the arts. Showcasing his diverse talent, Dan has performed in numerous productions of Shakespeare on campus.
Dan and his wife, Pam, are members of Grace Baptist Fellowship in Greenville. They have two daughters and enjoy spending time together as a family.
These two individuals have served Bob Jones University with excellence, humility, and a deep love for the Lord. Their legacy will continue to bless the University for generations to come.
