During the nation's largest financial crisis in 1932, John Jeter Hurt made the decision to leave the pastorate of the thriving First Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., to become president of Union University — an institution on the verge of closing.
In front of the Southern Baptist Convention pastor's conference, he was asked why in the world he would leave such a good church to save a struggling college "head over heels in debt."
"Well, gentlemen, it's quite easy," Hurt replied jokingly. "The deacons at FBC Jackson meet once a month, whereas the trustees at Union University only meet twice a year."
When Hurt began his tenure as president, the Union University Board of Trustees was ready to declare the school bankrupt, but Hurt's leadership and sacrificial service helped keep the school moving forward.
James Baggett, author of "So Great a Cloud of Witnesses," said Hurt would become a "Moses figure," leading Union out of the wilderness during the nation's struggle for survival, and leading Union University out of the wilderness is exactly what Hurt did.
By the time he retired in 1945 — serving as Union president through two national crises — Union University had paid off a quarter million-dollar debt and was officially declared debt-free.
Such provision, however, did not come without sacrifice. Union faculty voted to accept 20 percent pay cuts, and some Union professors took "IOUs" instead of a paycheck until Union was back on stable financial footing.
"Just as God faithfully provided for his people in the wilderness, so God was faithful to provide for Union during these wilderness years under Hurt," said Justin Wainscott, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Jackson and now assistant professor of Christian ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, during a 2022 Founders' Day address about Hurt (see video below). "Those of us who have come after him really do owe him a debt of gratitude for his service to this institution."
As a witty, people-oriented leader, Hurt built strategic relationships and friendships with people who would later be key in building Union's financial stability — friends such as Benjamin Duke, who co-founded Duke University with his brother; Charles M. Kittle, president of Sears, Roebuck & Co.; and Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the first commissioner of baseball. Hurt also met with Warren B. Harding in the White House and corresponded with Franklin D. Roosevelt while he was president.
Through some of these relationships and the miraculous provision of the Lord, Union received a $100,000 gift in the height of the Great Depression — a time when few had the ability to give financially.
Unexpected success became a reoccurring theme for Hurt and Union University during these times and would only continue as the world stepped into its second world war.
After the United States entered the war, Union University was converted for military use, helping train navy pilots and army aircrewmen. While less than 100 civilian students still remained on campus, the majority of students were young men training for the military.
This small, private university in West Tennessee would end up ranking in the top third of all colleges who had students completing advanced training at military air bases. In fact, one military leader stated in his report that "no institution in all the south handled its program better than Union University."
Along with military excellence, Union University would defeat unexpected odds in its athletics, competing at the national level. Hurt loved sports, especially football, so it was in his tenure that Union hired coaches who would soon become legendary in the sport. Few know that Paul "Bear" Bryant began his famous coaching 海角乱伦社区 at Union University, helping lead Union's football team to an all-expense invitation to play in Mexico City against the University of Mexico.
The game ended with a Union win of 32-6, leading to an exclusive feature in the New York Times the next day.
Finally, Hurt would propel Union University — a forgotten, almost bankrupt school — toward the top-notch, excellent academics it is now known for today. Under Hurt's leadership, Union was granted the Southern Association of Colleges accreditation, ensuring students received the best quality education.
Hurt's vision for Union University was not led by blind ambition but by faith and trust in a God who would continue to grow Union for the next 100 years. Baggett appropriately labeled Hurt as a Moses figure, leading Union University in the midst of overwhelming uncertainty, but the hero of the Bible — and in Union's history — has and will always be the Lord.
Moses was never able to enter the promised land, yet he led, instructed and encouraged the generation of Israelites who would experience the Lord's promise firsthand. Hurt never saw what Union University would become, but by God's grace, he helped Union get to where it is today — one of the top Christian institutions in the country.
Union's history has been marked by fearless leaders, humble servants and passionate advocates for excellent Christian education, but far more importantly, Union's history has and will always be characterized by the Lord's divine providence for his people and his university.
