Bob Jones III to Retire as Head of University

Bob Jones III said he would retire as president of the Christian university in Greenville that bears his name, ending a 34-year reign during which the school made headlines because of its racial policies and fundamentalist views.

In 2000, George W. Bush was criticized for speaking at the university while campaigning for president because the school banned interracial dating. That policy has since been dropped.

Jones, 65, whose grandfather founded Bob Jones University 78 years ago, said it was time for someone “closer to the present generation” to take over. His son will replace him in May.