This SC university ceased to exist — for about 2 months this year — sorta. Here’s what happened
For about two months this year Bob Jones University ceased to exist.
On paper at least.
The university failed to file required documents with the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, which in turn, dissolved the corporation that allowed the fundamentalist Christian university in Greenville to have tax exempt status.
The dissolution was first reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education Wednesday.
Bob Jones University created Bob Jones Inc. in 2017 to regain its tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service.
The federal agency denied the exemption in the 1970s due to the university’s ban on interracial dating and marriage, which the agency and later the U.S. Supreme Court said violated the government’s public policy of eliminating racial discrimination.
The university did not admit black students until 1971 and from 1971 to 1975, admitted black students only if they were married.
Courtney Holloway Montgomery, BJU public relations director, said the situation stemmed from a clerical error.
“We are back in ‘good standing,’ which is retroactive to May 6,” she said in an email.
She said Paracorp, a national company that offers services as a registered agent for businesses, emailed the school but school officials missed the communication.
“When they did not receive a response, they notified the state they were no longer our registered agent,” she said.
In turn, the Secretary of State’s office dissolved BJU Inc.
“We have resumed the use of their services and are pleased with how they have assisted us in this situation,” Montgomery said.
She also said the situation had nothing to do with the resignation of Josh Crocket as president in April. After serving as president for a year, he became the pastor at Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville.
Bruce McAllister, a longtime BJU employee in various positions, became president on June 1.
He is the seventh president and chief executive officer of the university founded by evangelist Bob Jones in 1927. He was followed by his son and grandson, Bob Jr. and Bob III, and great-grandson Stephen Jones.
Steve Pettit, the first non-family leader, resigned in 2023 after nine years amid long-simmering disagreements with Bob III, the chancellor of the university, and some board members.
Pettit was instrumental in getting the university’s tax exemption reinstated, a process started by Stephen Jones, who resigned due to a chronic illness.