We recognize this year’s dedicatee for his faithful ministry to the faculty, staff and students of Bob Jones University. His dedicated work ethic and passion for disciple-making have fueled the mission of BJU and furthered the cause of Christ.

From a small town in southern Georgia, Rodney McCarty came to BJU in 1982 to pursue a degree in Bible. He worked on the stage crew under the leadership of Mel Stratton and continued to work on stage as a graduate assistant while he earned a master’s degree in Bible. After Mr. Stratton’s death, the University asked Mr. McCarty to take the role of stage manager.

In that role, Mr. McCarty oversees the staging of Stratton Hall, War Memorial Chapel, Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium, Rodeheaver Auditorium and venues for other University events. He also leads the construction of stage sets and props, as well as directing scene changes in Rodeheaver Auditorium productions. Mr. McCarty has been involved in hundreds of productions and events from operas to student recitals to the Christmas lighting ceremony. Dr. Darren Lawson, dean of the School of Fine Arts and Communication, says that Mr. McCarty is “as valuable a member of the production team as the director. His fingerprints are on just about every production we have done in the last thirty years.”

While carrying out these duties, Mr. McCarty ministers to students on a more personal level. He intentionally disciples the students that work on stage crew, modeling the traits he would like them to develop. Dr. Lawson says, “We have a great stage manager, but we also have a great man with a pastoral heart who loves those guys who work under him.” Mr. McCarty has also lead First-year Seminar classes where he touched the lives of dozens of new students.

In addition to his ministry at BJU, Mr. McCarty has served at Morningside Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher and chairman of the Deacon Board. He is a dedicated husband, father of four and an enthusiastic Georgia Bulldogs fan. Whether on stage or off, our dedicatee consistently goes above and beyond to invest in others. Mrs. Rebecca Weier, who directs First-year Seminar, says, “Whenever he commits to something, he is all in.”

Dr. Gary Weier, a personal friend, describes him in three words: dedicated, passionate, godly. He is dedicated in that “he is extremely faithful, reliable and focused on what he is called to do.” He is passionate in the way he fulfills his responsibilities. He never takes half measures, and his example motivates his crew to give their best effort. He is godly in his personal walk with God and in his interactions with students and staff. Jeremy Woodruff, an assistant stage manager who daily works with Mr. McCarty, says, “Whenever we have staff meetings, he takes time for prayer, specifically for students, and he has a brief challenge from God’s Word. You can tell he’s thought it out. It’s never cliché.”

For his humble leadership, commitment and years of unseen service backstage, it is our honor to dedicate the 2018 Vintage to Mr. Rod McCarty.