Dr. Jimmy Epting

NGU President

Dr. James B. Epting doesn’t like to take any credit for the dramatic turnaround of North Greenville University – he is quick to tell you that God deserves all the credit and glory. But without Epting’s guidance and leadership, who knows where the school might be today.

When Epting left the school in August 1990, it was on the verge of closing its doors. He was lured back in May 1991 and has been the central figure in the Baptist institution remaining open. Epting returned to North Greenville with just over 300 students in attendance. This past fall, NGU's enrollment was close to 1,800.

Epting is not one to shy away from difficult challenges. Besides North Greenville, he has served at Tuscaloosa Academy in Alabama, Judson College in Marion, AL, and Furman University.

Before his tenure as President began in 1991, Epting served at North Greenville as dean of students and vice president for student development.

Under Epting’s leadership, the university has over five times the endowment. Ten new buildings have been constructed, as well as several major and numerous smaller renovations to existing buildings. The college’s debt has steadily declined to almost a third of the 1991 amount.

A native of Rock Hill, Epting graduated from Mars Hill College in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He received his master’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama in 1974 and earned his doctorate in administration/higher education from the school in 1978.

Epting was born on April 1, 1951. He is married to the former Gretchen Moore of Greenville and they have three children, Daphne, Bert and Paul.