#linda abrams

[wutbju]

The BJU 2025 Vintage is not online (indicating a persistent lack of funds). But its dedicatees are Linda Abrams and Dan Olinger.

Olinger got great big loud manly applause upon the announcement of his name.

WutBJU will wait patiently to count all the mugshots to get this year's numbers.

[wutbju]

Did you get the political survey from Bob Jones University? 

Friends and Colleagues, You are invited to take part in a voluntary research study sponsored by Bob Jones University’s political science and mathematics faculty. The Christian vote is an increasingly important part of the electoral landscape. However, secular scholars have struggled to understand the role Christians play in today’s political world. This study attempts to gather the necessary data to provide a more accurate analysis on this subject. Participating in research activities is a normal part of college life for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Your participation in this approximately 35-question, anonymous survey is very important to its success. It should take 10-15 minutes to complete and we thank you, in advance, for your time. You will not be identified by name in the study or in the results. No one will be able to link your answers to you. You may stop your participation at any time and for any reason without explanation. By participating in the survey, you agree that your answers may be used by the research sponsors to achieve the study’s purpose and in related publications. Bob Jones University’s Office of Planning, Research and Assessment reviewed and approved this survey. Address any questions to Dr. Doug Garland, Director of Assessment and Curriculum Development, at [email protected]. Linda Abrams, Associate Professor, Division of History, Government, and Social Science Melissa Gardenghi, PhD, Chair, Division of Mathematical Sciences Zachary A. Heltsley, Senior, Communication major, Political Science minor

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[wutbju]

On May 5, 2017, Bob Jones University granted Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC) and honorary doctorate. In receiving this degree, Congressman Gowdy joins the ranks of the following recipients:

Strom Thurmond

Robert Ketchum (father of the infamous Donn Ketchum)

Billy James Hargis

George Wallace

Lester Maddox

Jesse Helms

Carl McIntire

Ian Paisley

Olin Johnston

Lindsay Graham

Bob Inglis

David Beasley

John Ashcroft

Here’s the transcript of the remarks today from Professor Linda Abrams, President Steve Pettit, and the Congressman.

Pettit: I’d like now to recognize Mrs. Linda Abrams, Associate Professor of Social Science, and she will come present to Congressman Harold Watson Trey Gowdy the Third the degree of Doctor of Laws.  

Abrams: President Pettit: In a day when many elected officials have forgotten the meaning of the term public servant the, man standing before you has not. Our honoree has exemplified the concept of public servant for his entire career. After graduating from Spartanburg High School, he attended Baylor University and then law school at the University of South Carolina where he was a member of the prestigious Order of the Wig and Robe. After law school he began serving as a public prosecutor and was awarded the highest performance rating two years in a row.

In 2004 he was elected as South Carolina's Seventh District Solicitor. He fought crime through the judicial system and worked tirelessly for victims rights. He created a violence against women task force and implemented a drug mother protocol designed to assist expectant mothers in breaking the cycle of addiction.

He took his next step in public service in 2010 when he was elected to the 4th District Congressional Seat. Bob Jones University is one of 17 institutions of higher education in the 4th District.

Our honoree has demonstrated in Washington the same strong work ethic that he exhibited as a federal prosecutor and a solicitor.  He is committed to holding the national government accountable to the people upon which the government is based. He serves with distinction on the House Committees on Intelligence, Ethics, Oversight and Government Reform, and Judiciary where he also chairs the Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations. This is more committee work than any other member of the US Congress. In January he was named to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence — the first time in history a member from South Carolina has been named to this important committee.

He is married to the former Terry Dillard. They have two children, Watson and Abigail, and two dogs, appropriately named Jury and Bailiff.

During the founding years of the United States, Noah Webster said, “In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not particular sect or persuasion of the candidate. Look to his character.” The people of the 4th District have certainly heeded the advice of Mr. Webster in their selection of their congressman. It is my distinct honor to present to you for the degree Doctor of Laws, the Honorable Trey Gowdy.

Trey, it gives me a great personal pleasure to award this honorary degree to you. First of all, you have our deep respect for your convictions. You are among real friends here. We respect you for your stand for truth and principle. We love you as a native South Carolinian, and we are proud to call you our US congressman. So when the word came up from our our board of trustees about honoring you today, we just knew that this would be the right thing. And so thank you. Thank you for your faithfulness. And by the Charter from the State of South Carolina and the authority vested in me by the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to confer upon you the honorary degree Doctor of Laws.

Gowdy: Thank you. Thank you. I want to say thank you. It took my father 13 years and really good grades to become a doctor. And it took me an afternoon and mediocre grades. So thank you for … thank you for that. I want to thank Bob Jones University. But … but also what I refer to as the Bob Jones community for your contributions. It’s not just to the community and the State and the nation, but literally as we heard today to the world. On a personal level, I want to thank the Bob Jones community for your friendship with me especially over the past seven years. But even before that … a source of encouragement when warranted and a source of accountability when needed. So let me say thank you for that.

I want to just briefly address the graduates. You have two of the most incredible commodities known: time and youth. This is a great time to rest and reflect for just a second. Reflect on the people that helped you get here. Rest and reflect on your accomplishments to this point. But I have to tell you the one advantage I have over you in life is, I’ve been your age and you’ve never been my age. 31 years ago I was sitting where you were sitting in Waco, Texas. And time goes very quickly. Let me tell you what I wish someone had told me 31 years ago: there is a truth. It is objective. It is identifiable, and there's a model: His name is Jesus. You need to have a code by which you live that you do not deviate from. Number one, I wish someone had told me there's a code — find it. There’s a model for that code — live it. Number two, always value education. One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of Habakkuk, and some of you are wondering whether that really is a book in the Bible. It is a book in the Bible, and I like that book because Habakkuk asks God why it’s okay to ask why. Value education. Ask “Why?” Ask people, “How do you know that?” But don’t ever forget — there is an objective, identifiable truth. Thirdly, help other people. Ms. Abrams mentioned that my wife of 28 years is a teacher. She will help more people in a school calendar year than a member of Congress who serves for three decades. Help other people. Lastly, you will have a choice in life to pursue success as the world finds it or, what I prefer, which is significance. You'll have a choice: success or significance, fame or something more foundational. I work in the city named for George Washington, fly into an airport named for Ronald Reagan, and every week I have a choice which side of the plane am I going to look out of. As we descend into the airport, I can look to the left and I can see the monuments to Lincoln and Jefferson and Dr. King. And I can see buildings and statutes and roads named after all the famous people. And there is a temptation, there is an allure to look out the left-hand side of the plane. I would encourage you to resist that temptation and do what I do: look out the other side of the plane at these very gently rolling hills punctuated by elegant white crosses at a place we call Arlington. And most of us can’t name five people there. Be at those quiet lives of conviction and virtue or what made the country. It’s still what makes the country. It’s forever what will make the country. Lead a life of conviction and virtue. Choose significance over success. God bless you. Congratulations.