Dwight Gustafson Biography

Fast Facts

• The Bob Jones University Fine Arts Building was renamed in his honor in 1999
• Was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in the state of South Carolina, by then-Governor Jim Hodges
• Graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor's and Master's in Music in 1952 and 1954 and earned his Doctorate in Composition from Florida State University in 1967
• Was only 24 years old and had just graduated from college when he was asked to become the dean of the Bob Jones University School of Fine Arts in 1954
• During his sophomore year at Bob Jones University, he was asked to do some sketches for a theater production and ended up designing all of the show's sets
• Served as the dean of the School of Fine Arts at Bob Jones University for 43 years, during which time he not only composed music but also designed sets and acted and sang in the school's performances
• Best known as a music composer and as the dean of the Bob Jones University's School of Fine Arts
• During his career he composed more than 160 operas, hymns, and orchestral works
• After he retired, he became the music director at Hampton Park Baptist Church, and occasionally returned to Bob Jones University to teach classes
• Some of his compositions appeared in films like "The Printing," "Sheffey," and "Red Runs the River․"