The Crandall University Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA) banquet is an annual event which is held to recognize outstanding alumni who have lived their lives as excellent representatives of Crandall in the world. Each year’s recipient(s) are selected from nominations received from the alumni community and approved by the University Senate.

This year, Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented on Friday May 3, 2024 to former Crandall President Rev. Dr. Brian MacArthur (’70).

Rev. Dr. Brian MacArthur (’70)

Brian MacArthur, son of Rev. Cecil and Hazel MacArthur, was born in Moncton, New Brunswick.  He spent his childhood years in Moncton and Alma before moving to the Guysborough area of Nova Scotia when his father entered pastoral ministry.  He enrolled in the United Baptist Bible Training School in 1969 to pursue a year of Arts.  At the Bible School, he was involved in the choir and sang on a gospel team, and it was during this year that he discerned that God was calling him to full-time Christian ministry.  He continued his studies at Acadia University and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1973, followed by a Master of Divinity at Acadia Divinity College in 1976.  He later earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1988.  

Brian married Rossanne (Downey) in 1974 and they have five children: Jeffrey, a Crandall alumnus, Jennifer, Julianne, Janet, a Crandall alumna, and Jessica.  They also have 12 grandchildren.

Dr. MacArthur served as Senior Pastor of the North and South Alton Baptist Churches (1975-1977), the Penobsquis, Portage Vale, and Dutch Valley Churches (1977-1981), First Baptist Church in Campbellton (1981-1986), Lewisville Baptist Church (1986-2000), Bridgewater Baptist Church (2013-2017), and part-time interim ministry at Brunswick Street Baptist Church (2017-2019).  His solid, unifying ministries have been marked by personal devotion, thoughtful Biblical messages, care and concern, and a warm sense of humor.  His particular gifts in stewardship and leadership enabled him to lead congregations through many building expansions.   

In the wider Baptist family, Dr. MacArthur served on the staff of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada as Director of Development, as President of Convention, and on many boards, including the Board of Crandall University.  Recognizing his leadership abilities, Dr. MacArthur was called upon by the Board to serve as the 7th President of Crandall University. He served with distinction from 2001-2011.  Under his leadership, the University experienced growth in the student body and the endowment fund, the facilities were expanded, and the name was changed from Atlantic Baptist University to Crandall University.  At spring convocation in 2013 he received Crandall’s Leadership Award.

Brian has been a leader among his peers and has brought unswerving devotion to his Lord in every assignment he has undertaken.  He has mentored many in their ministry callings and has been an outstanding leader in the Baptist and wider church community.