GREENVILLE, SC (May 20, 2025) — The Bob Jones University Board of Trustees today announced the election of Dr. Bruce McAllister as the seventh president of the University.
“Having spent the last two years on BJU’s executive team, Dr. McAllister knows well both the University’s strengths and challenges,” said Dr. Sam Dawson, chair of the BJU Board of Trustees. “This experience has equipped him to oversee the various operations of the University, and his experience in pastoral relations has prepared him to relate to students on a personal basis and discern what they need to help them grow spiritually. He is a gracious man with great integrity, and the Board is pleased to announce his presidency as we move toward our centennial year in 2026 – 2027 and beyond.”
Most recently, McAllister was Vice President for Ministry where he preached and represented the University on and off campus, including speaking in University and Seminary Chapel.
For four years, he was Director of Ministry Relations at GFA Missions where he assisted with church staffing and church planting and had a preaching and teaching ministry.
Prior to that, he served 42 years at Bob Jones University, beginning as a graduate assistant in Ministerial Training and Outreach in 1977. He taught Bible at Bob Jones Academy and Bible and Church Ministries in the University. From 1991 – 2014, he was Director of Ministerial and Outreach Ministries where he was responsible for BJU’s ministerial class and its core courses, the University’s church staff placement service, and student outreach ministries. He has also served as the Director of Ministry Relations and the Director of Pastor Relations.
McAllister has authored curricula on church planting, high school preaching and leadership, and successful Christian living, along with articles for Frontline Magazine and the GFA Missions Church Staffing website. Two of his books were published by BJU Press.
He was president of the BJU Alumni Association from 1994 – 1995, and since 2011, has carried out a regular preaching ministry to inmates at the Greenville Detention Center.
McAllister holds four degrees from Bob Jones University: a BA in Bible Education, 1977; a MA in Pastoral Studies, 1979; a MDiv, 1988; and a DMin, 1995.
“I am humbled and grateful to be given the responsibility of leading the University I have loved since my first day as a student in 1973,” said McAllister. “My immediate priorities this summer are putting together a strong executive team that will lead the University forward, working to further strengthen the total student experience, and continuing the emphasis on experiential learning. I will also focus on improving our organizational and operational structure and pursuing the expansion of our online educational programs. I am excited to work with our incredible faculty, staff and students as we move toward our 100th year.”
McAllister is married to the former Ellen Gamble. They have four adult children and eight grandchildren.
