President’s Newsletter — December 2019

ROTC students

This newsletter from Bob Jones University’s president Steve Pettit is intended to inform BJU’s alumni and friends of student and faculty achievements and campus programs and activities. Communication regarding this newsletter may be addressed to [email protected].

Message from the President

When I became president of Bob Jones University, one of my goals was to offer ROTC to our students. In fact, it was one of the first things I mentioned to our congressional delegation when we first met in their offices in Washington, D.C.

I’m thankful for the leadership of U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott—as well as Congressman Jeff Duncan and former Congressman Trey Gowdy—for encouraging and assisting BJU in its pursuit of Army and Air Force ROTC.

I am also thankful for the great crosstown partners we have in Furman University for Army ROTC and Clemson University for Air Force ROTC. Each of these universities has worked well with our team here at BJU to make ROTC not only a reality but also an incredible opportunity for our students.

In our second year of offering ROTC, we have 26 Army ROTC cadets and seven Air Force cadets. They take physical training along with military classes and leadership labs on the campus of the sponsoring institution and classes in their major at BJU.

I am grateful for the commitment of our cadets to their service branch and our country. Not only are they representing our country and BJU well, they are representing our Lord and Savior.

Cadets William Driggers, Samuel Hadley and Jonathan Curtis (Photo by Derek Eckenroth)

From left: Cadets William Driggers, Samuel Hadley and Jonathan Curtis (Photo by Derek Eckenroth)

Oct. 21, we hosted a contracting ceremony in chapel for three BJU Army cadets conducted by Lt. Col. Christopher Manganaro, Furman Army ROTC Professor of Military Science. Students receiving contracts included Cadet Jonathan Curtis, sophomore communication major from Indianapolis, Indiana; Cadet William Driggers, junior information technology major from Easley, South Carolina; and Cadet Samuel Hadley, sophomore exercise science major from Paris, Texas.

The ceremony was a formal acknowledgment that each of the cadets has a contract with the Army to begin military service after completing their degree. It also indicated the Army’s agreement to pay for the remainder of each cadet’s education.

Following the ceremony, I preached on why we as Christians support our government.

First, government authority is ordained by God and is God’s plan for maintaining order in society.

Second, Scripture calls government officials “ministers of God.” Their role is to maintain order and protect from evil by making laws, holding citizens accountable and exercising judgment on the disobedient—even if that judgment means taking life in war or by capital punishment. The need for government is actually a picture of man’s need of salvation. No one ultimately gets away with sin.

Finally, Christians are commanded to obey government and respect the authority over us. We are to pay taxes to support this authority. Scripture also tells us to pray for our government and those holding office that we as Christians may lead a quiet and peaceful life.

I am proud of each BJU student who makes the solemn commitment to serve our country. The military is a field for evangelism, and I pray their testimonies will be bright and consistent.

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BJU Nursing Program Granted Accreditation

CCNE seal

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education last month granted accreditation to Bob Jones University’s nursing program. Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, CCNE is an independent organization that exists to ensure high standards, overall quality and continuous improvement of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs of nursing in the United States.

The accreditation applies retroactively to our May 2019 BJU nursing program graduates.

CCNE accreditation brings with it many benefits for our nursing students beyond the benefit of a degree from a regionally accredited university—benefits such as increased open doors for graduate study and greater employment opportunities in health care systems that may hire only those with degrees from an accredited nursing program.

CCNE accreditation is a testament to the quality of a BJU nursing education, demonstrating that we meet evidence-based practice and quality standards for nursing education. It also opens a greater number of doors for the BJU Division of Nursing to pursue grants for simulation and other equipment, as many funding agencies require program accreditation as an eligibility requirement.

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Chalet Named 2019 Alumnus of the Year

Cherith Norman Chalet, a 1998 BJU graduate, was recognized as the 2019 Alumnus of the Year at BJU’s Homecoming Kickoff Ceremony, Oct. 11. Alumni Relations presents the award annually to an alumnus who exhibits character and involvement that is an example to all BJU alumni.

After graduating from BJU with a BA in history, Chalet worked for South Carolina Congressman Jim DeMint. From 2008 to 2011, she served as special advisor to the United Nations and senior advisor to the Bureau of Legislative Affairs at the State Department in Washington, D.C. Chalet later served as the UN Management and Reform Counselor. As a delegate to the UN’s budget committee, she and her staff monitor and report on the billions of dollars that flow through that institution.

Cherith Norman Chalet with her husband and Dr. and Mrs. Pettit

In 2018, she was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the Ambassador for UN Management and Reform and was confirmed by the Senate in September of that year. She also serves as the alternate representative to the General Assembly of the United Nations.

In presenting the award, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations John Matthews said, “Because Cherith exemplifies faithfulness to the Lord and His calling on her life, a legacy of grace in a larger alumni family, and the blessings of God’s favor on her work, we are honored to present her with the 2019 Alumnus of the Year Award.”

See Also: Cherith Norman Chalet’s story on bjualumni.com

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Bible Conference Scheduled for February

BJU will hold its annual Bible Conference Feb. 18–21, 2020. The conference theme is “The God of All Comfort,” based on II Corinthians 1:3–5.

The God of All Comfort Bible Conference graphic

Bible Conference speakers include BJU President Steve Pettit; Rev. Cary Schmidt, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Newington, Connecticut; Dr. Marty Herron, Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary, Ankeny, Iowa; evangelist Morris Gleiser, Fate, Texas; and BJU Chancellor Dr. Bob Jones III. The three guest speakers along with Carol Anne Clemons from Coffey Evangelistic Ministries in Decatur, Alabama, also will conduct workshops.

This year’s Bible Conference offering will go toward the purchase of a $150,000 Save the Storks customized bus for the Carolina Pregnancy Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

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Students Present at Southern States Communication Association Convention

Five students presented academic papers at the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA) Conference at the University of South Carolina Beaufort-Hilton Head Island at the beginning of the semester. In addition, BJU faculty members Dr. Charlotte Burke and Dr. Mary Mendoza participated in Great Ideas for Teaching Students in the Carolinas panel discussions.

Prior to the convention students from the region submitted papers for consideration in the CCA’s competitive, blind review process. Students were encouraged to craft submissions based on the conference theme of sustainability.

Tina Lacock

Tina Lacock, graduate student in communication studies from Greenville, South Carolina, was selected the 2019 recipient of the Mary E. Jarrard Graduate Student Paper Award for Excellence in Student Scholarship. The Mary E. Jarrard Prize is awarded annually to the outstanding undergraduate and graduate student paper submitted to the convention.

Beth Ann Labadorf

Beth Ann Labadorf, a 2019 MA in communication studies graduate from Warrensville Heights, Ohio, had her work, “Bilingual Language Accommodation: A Qualitative Study,” published as a Spotlight on Debut Scholarship in the 2019 Carolinas Communication Annual, the peer-reviewed journal published by the CCA.

Tina Lacock and Kathy Klochko, graduate student in communication studies from Inman, South Carolina, presented on the Graduate Top Papers Panel. Lacock’s presentation was titled “Training with Flexibility: An Exploration of Trainer-Client Relationships Through the Lens of Relational Dialectics” and Klochko’s “Being in America but not American: Examining the Life of Second-Generation Slavic Females.”

In addition, four students participated in Competitive Paper Panels: Troy Renaux, junior communication major from Hampton, Virginia, “An Analysis of Aaron Stark’s TED Talk: ‘I Was Almost a School Shooter’ According to the Theory of Dramatism;” Daniel Hamersky, a graduate student in communication studies from Taylors, South Carolina, “Managing the Message: Agenda Setting during the Reporting of Boeing’s 737 Max Crisis;” Tina Lacock, “Losing Gold: Organizational Image Repair in Sponsor-Athlete Related Crisis,” and Beth Ann Labadorf, “Does Everyone Speak English?: An Application of Communication Accommodation Theory to Bilingual Individuals.”

Founded in 1981, the CCA provides a forum for students and teachers involved in communications studies to share ideas and network with colleagues from other institutions through annual conferences and various publications.

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BJU Student Outcomes Show Quality

Bob Jones University has long had a reputation for academic excellence, and one of the most important reasons freshmen cite for selecting BJU is academic quality. Several of our programs require national capstone exams during the senior year. Here are some of the most recent results:

  • BJU Premed students averaged between the 94th and 95th percentile on the Medical College Admission Test. The medical school acceptance rate of BJU graduates within a year of graduation averages at least 40% above the national average.
  • 97% pass rate for BJU nursing graduates on the NCLEX-RN exam; BJU graduates typically outperform national and state pass rates.
  • 100% pass rate for education graduates on the PRAXIS II certification exam
  • 100% pass rate on Actuaries Financial Mathematics exam
  • BJU’s accounting grads consistently outperform state and national CPA Exam pass rates.

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Cook Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The South Carolina chapter of the American Choral Directors Association presented Dr. Warren Cook, director of BJU choral activities, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its Fall Conference at Charleston Southern University Oct. 11.

Cook holds both a BS in music education and a MA in sacred music from BJU and earned a DMA in music performance – choral conducting from the University of South Carolina.

Cook has served on BJU’s music faculty for 35 years, 30 of which as conductor of the University’s premier choir, University Chorale, along with several other student choral groups. His choirs have sung around the world, from South Korea to the ACDA National Convention to Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Illinois. In addition, Dr. Cook directs the highly acclaimed, award-winning community chorus Rivertree Singers which won the grand prize at the 2017 Oxford University Press Advent Competition adjudicated by noted English composer and conductor John Rutter.

Warren Cook conducts the choirs of BJU and Rivertree Singers as they present Dan Forrest's Jubilate Deo (Photo by Derek Eckenroth)

The Lifetime Achievement Award is “presented each year by the South Carolina chapter of the ACDA to a choral director working in South Carolina who has made a significant impact on the field of choral music in South Carolina over the course of their career.”

“We are so grateful to see Dr. Cook receive this well-deserved honor. He is highly respected among his peers and dearly loved by all who’ve had the privilege of singing under his direction,” said Dr. Michael Moore, BJU Division of Music chair. “His contribution to the world of choral artistry has been recognized at the state, regional, national and international levels.”

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Dickinson Named Vice President

Steve Dickinson

At its October meeting, the BJU Board of Trustees voted to approve a new position—vice president for business and finance. Steve Dickinson was named to the position. A 1988 accounting graduate, Dickinson spent two years with an accounting firm and then joined the InterContinental Hotels Group where he spent 16 years, the last three as vice president of global financial reporting. He became BJU chief financial officer in the fall of 2018, transitioning to BJU from the CFO position in BJU Education Group. In addition to Financial Services, Dickinson oversees the University’s Human Resources, Facilities and Information Technologies operations.

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BJU Adds New Academic Programs

Beginning in Fall 2020, BJU will offer a number of new academic programs: two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, four minors, six certificates and three concentrations. While concentrations are specific to a major, any student can earn a certificate to broaden experience.

“We are excited to offer these in-demand programs to our current and prospective students,” said Provost Dr. Gary Weier. “We continuously evaluate our program offerings to ensure they meet the needs of the 21st-century workforce.”

New programs include:

  • Cybersecurity, BS — College of Arts and Science
  • Homeland Security Concentration for Criminal Justice, BS — College of Arts and Science
  • Public Health/Global Health, BS — School of Health Professions
  • Minor in Kinesiology — School of Health Professions
  • Minor in Public Health/Global Health — School of Health Professions
  • Minor in Nutrition — School of Health Professions
  • Graduate Certificate in Communication — School of Fine Arts and Communication
  • Photography Concentration in Visual Studies — School of Fine Arts and Communication
  • Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Coaching — School of Religion
  • Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership — School of Education
  • Graduate Certificate in K–12 Teaching and Learning — School of Education
  • Undergraduate Certificate in K–12 Teaching and Learning — School of Education
  • Minor in Paralegal Studies — School of Business
  • Graduate Certificate in Teaching Bible — BJU Seminary
  • Graduate Certificate in Chaplaincy — BJU Seminary
  • Apologetics, MA — BJU Seminary
  • Concentrations in DMin — BJU Seminary

School of Education certificate programs are offered online through the School for Continuing, Online and Professional Education (SCOPE). In addition to its current BS degree completion program in Professional Studies, SCOPE also is developing two additional BS degree completion programs, Christian Ministries and Business, which will launch in 2020 or 2021.

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BJU’s Academic Year to Start Earlier in 2020

In fall 2020, BJU will begin first semester one week earlier than in past years. Students will return to campus August 22–23, and classes will begin August 26. Currently, first semester is 16 weeks and second semester 17 weeks. BJU is changing the schedule to make both semesters 17 weeks long and better equalize the number of class days in each semester. The additional week also will enable the University to better spread out first semester events. Labor Day will become an institutional holiday and a four-day fall break will be scheduled in mid-October.

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President Steve Pettit’s Speaking Schedule

Jan. 28–31, Tuesday–Friday
Refresh 2020 Conference
Faith Baptist Bible College & Seminary
Ankeny, IA

Feb. 6–8, Thursday–Saturday
Missionary Enrichment Conference
Honduras

Feb. 16, Sunday a.m.
River City Baptist Church
Jacksonville, FL

Feb. 18, Tuesday p.m.
Bible Conference
Bob Jones University

Feb. 27, Thursday p.m.
Alumni Friendship Gathering
Springdale House and Gardens
Columbia, SC

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BJU Named Best Medium Delegation at State Student Legislature

The Bob Jones University delegation to the South Carolina Student Legislature was named the Best Medium Delegation during the fall session of the South Carolina Student Legislature Nov. 6–8 in Columbia, South Carolina.

BJU’s delegation was comprised of Aryn Akerberg, junior health sciences major from Milton, New Hampshire; Ben Mills, junior international studies major from Barrigada, Guam; Carson McQuaid, sophomore accounting major from Taylors, South Carolina; Carter Henderson, junior special education major from Greenville, South Carolina; Joey Kauffman, junior accounting major from Ocala, Florida; Judah Smith, junior premed/predent major from Greenville, South Carolina; Nathan Swaim, junior accounting major from Lexington, North Carolina; Reagan Musselman, sophomore premed/predent major from Duncan, South Carolina; Ryan Parimi, sophomore business administration major from Taylors, South Carolina; Sarah Rumpf, senior communication major from Billerica, Massachusetts; and Savannah Seiber, senior criminal justice major from Duncan, South Carolina.

Several members of the BJU delegation served in significant leadership roles. Savannah Seiber was elected speaker pro tempore by the House of Representatives and served as a committee chair, Nathan Swaim was appointed by the newly elected governor to serve as treasurer, and Judah Smith was appointed as chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Two members of the delegation—Carter Henderson and Carson McQuaid—served as committee chairs.

Nine of the 10 BJU delegation’s bills passed in both the House and the Senate.

In addition to BJU, participating institutions included Coastal Carolina University, Charleston Southern University, Clemson University, Erskine College, Francis Marion University, Presbyterian College, The Citadel and the University of South Carolina.

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BJU Expands Study Abroad

With the growing interest in Study Abroad programs, the University last year established an Office of BJU Study Abroad headed by Dr. Jeremy Patterson, chair of the Division of Modern Language and Literature. Dr. Patterson oversees BJU’s Study Abroad programs and advises faculty conducting the programs on academic requirements and logistics of conducting courses abroad.

This coming summer, five 3- or 6-credit courses will be offered at various locations in Europe and the Middle East.

  • Art + Design in Florence and Venice taught by Lewis Carl and Jay Bopp
  • Communications in Israel and Palestine with Dr. Mary Mendoza
  • Communication Disorders in Geneva, Switzerland, taught by Dr. David Eoute Jr.
  • Marketing in Lisbon, Portugal, taught by Dr. Adele Dunn
  • Music in London and Paris with Laura Brundage.

In addition, the Office of BJU Study Abroad will launch its first Study USA course, with Dr. Brenda Schoolfield teaching six credits in history through travel and study of colonial history in the Eastern United States.

See Also: The Importance of Study Abroad Trips

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Dr. Sam Horn’s Speaking Schedule

Jan. 9, Thursday
Student Leadership Conference (MAACS)
Shawnee Mission Christian School
Westwood, KS

Jan. 12, Sunday p.m.
Boones Creek Bible Church
Johnson City, TN

Jan. 15, Wednesday
Student Leadership Conference (AACS)
Matthews Christian Academy
Matthews, NC

Feb. 9, Sunday a.m.
First Fundamental Bible Church
Whittier, CA

Feb. 16, Sunday a.m.
Bethel Baptist Church
Hampton, VA

Feb. 16, Sunday p.m.
Colonial Baptist Church
Virginia Beach, VA

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CoRE Conference to Focus on Hope and Help for Addiction

New Life CoRE Conference graphic

BJU Seminary’s annual CoRE Conference will be held on the BJU campus March 9–10, 2020. Following the theme, “New Life: Hope and Help for an Addicted World,” the CoRE Conference will provide biblical answers to address the needs of those who feel they have no hope as a result of their addiction to drugs, alcohol, pornography, eating disorders or other destructive behaviors.

CoRE Conference speakers include:

  • Mark Shaw, founder of The Addiction Connection and director of counseling at Grace Fellowship Church in the northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area.
  • John Street, professor and department chair for the graduate programs in Biblical Counseling at The Master’s University & Seminary, Santa Clarita, California.
  • Julie Lowe, faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. She has over 15 years of counseling experience, especially with women’s issues, sexual abuse, body image issues, and parenting and child maltreatment issues.
  • Jim Berg, professor of biblical counseling at BJU Seminary and executive director of Freedom that Lasts, a Bible-centered ministry to those struggling with addictions and hurtful life circumstances.
  • Greg Mazak, professor of biblical counseling, psychology and church ministry at Bob Jones University and BJU Seminary. He oversees both the undergraduate and graduate degrees in biblical counseling and pastors Trinity Bible Church in Greer, South Carolina.
  • Steve Cruice, professor of biblical counseling at Bob Jones University and BJU Seminary. He and his wife are actively involved in the community as foster parents, and he leads a biblical counseling ministry to a local detention center.
  • Steve Pettit, president of Bob Jones University and BJU Seminary.
  • Sam Horn, executive vice president for enrollment and ministerial advancement at BJU and dean of BJU Seminary and the undergraduate School of Religion.

Additional conference details and registration information are available on the conference website.

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BJU Intercollegiate Teams Win National Championships

Three BJU intercollegiate teams won NCCAA DII national championships in November.

Nov. 16 BJU’s men’s cross-country team won their fourth straight national championship in Point Lookout, Missouri, with four runners finishing in the top ten. The women’s cross-country team finished second in the women’s competition. BJU coach Landon Bright was named National Coach of the Year.

Ben Douthit, senior from Elmira, Oregon, received the 2019 Wheeler Award which recognizes excellence in Christian cross country competition.

Women’s volleyball nationals were held at BJU with the BJU Bruins entering the competition as the #1 seed. The Bruins emerged with their second straight national championship, rallying in the fourth set to defeat #2 seeded Maranatha Baptist University. Brooke Beaver, junior from Kissimmee, Florida, was named the tournament’s most outstanding player for the second straight season, and Saleena Walker, senior from Greenville, South Carolina, earned All-Tournament honors.

The Bruins women’s soccer team—also ranked #1 seed— scored three first-half goals as the team shutout #3 seeded Grace Christian University 3–0 to win the NCCAA DII National Championship—their fifth in program history. Jenna Bishop, freshman from Davison, Michigan, was named National Player of the Year, and Jennifer Townsend, senior from Lexington, South Carolina, received the National Game Plan for Life Award which recognizes character. Coach Chris Carmichael was again named National Coach of the Year.

The NCCAA DII recognized several BJU Bruins as 2019 Scholar Athletes, a recognition given to junior, senior or graduate students maintaining at least a 3.40 GPA. Recognized in cross-country were Haley Brammer, Alyssa Whaley, Hannah Peterson, Ben Douthit, Michael Johannes, Nathan Stewart and Douglas Flynn; in volleyball—Lauren Mukenschnabl, Laura Gaston, Katherine Ring, Ariana Pegram and Jamie Grimes; in men’s soccer—Isaac Landry, Andrew Zhang, Nick Marks and Micah Kline; and in women’s soccer—Jennifer Townsend, Bailey Martin and Kayla Romeiser.

Nine BJU athletes were named All American—four women’s soccer, two men’s soccer, two volleyball and one men’s cross country.

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Messiah Concludes Semester Concert Season

BJU concludes the Concert, Opera and Drama series for first semester with two performances of Handel’s Messiah Dec. 12 and 13. Directed by Dr. Warren Cook, the performances will feature over 200 singers from four university choirs—Chorale, Concert Choir, Collegiate Choir and University Singers—accompanied by the BJU Symphony Orchestra.

Both performances are in Rodeheaver Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at bju.edu/fine-arts or by calling Programs & Productions weekdays from noon–5 p.m. at (864) 770-1372.

Messiah marks the fourth event in this semester’s Concert, Opera and Drama series.

In October, the University presented Panosian and the Providence of His Story. The multifaceted program combined the personal story of longtime BJU history professor Dr. Edward Panosian, whose family was forced to flee the Armenian Genocide in 1915–1920, with the vocal artistry of Miriam Matossian, a local singer-songwriter with Armenian roots. Matossian was accompanied by a small band of musicians playing traditional Armenian instruments and the BJU Symphony Orchestra.

The impetus for the event was the publication of the biography Panosian: A Story of God’s Gracious Providence by BJU graduate Chris Anderson. Directed by Dr. Paul Radford, head of the department of communication studies, and conducted by Dr. Michael Moore, chair of the Division of Music, the concert interwove musical selections with video elements and storytelling.

Nov. 2, the Classic Players presented the well-loved Charles Dickens classic, Great Expectations, and on Nov. 12 the National Dance Company of Siberia communicated the vibrant spirit of the Siberian people and their rich heritage through costuming, native instruments, master choreography and athleticism.

See Also: 200 Voices Unite for a Celebration of Christ’s Birth

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C-SPAN Bus Visits BJU

Oct. 30, the C-SPAN Bus, a high-tech, interactive, 45-foot customized motor coach, visited BJU, providing students, faculty, people from the community and elected officials an opportunity to engage in interactive demonstrations of C-SPAN’s various programs. In addition, C-SPAN gathered brief interviews from visitors who wished to discuss the issues they believe should be addressed in the 2020 presidential campaign. Responses will be compiled into a presentation to air on the C-SPAN network.

On the bus, visitors had access to an exclusive interactive experience available on 11 large-screen tablets featuring C-SPAN programming and various political and educational resources, a smart TV and classroom area for conversations with students and faculty, a high definition TV production studio for taped and live programming, a 360-degree video station featuring C-SPAN’s coverage of high-profile events and behind-the-scenes tours of U.S. landmarks, and a D.C.-themed selfie station where visitors can share their C-SPAN bus experience through social media.

C-SPAN also talked with students about internship opportunities available through the network.

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Opportunities at BJU Press

BJU Press offers a complete line of K4–Grade 12 textbooks and distance learning materials written from a biblical worldview. These materials focus on academic rigor, encourage critical thinking and are supported by appropriate educational technology. Nearly 450 employees produce these products primarily for Christian schools and homeschooling families and more are needed. If you are seeking a new opportunity, BJU Press has openings that may interest you. Check out the listings at http://bju.careers/bju-education-group.

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