At the heart of Crandall’s legacy of faith and education is a leader whose unwavering dedication saw this institution grow into what it is today; the Crandall University community pays tribute to the memory of Chancellor Emeritus, Mr. H. Jack Stultz, who was called home on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Jack’s relationship with Crandall University spans 74 of the school’s 75-year history, beginning in 1950 when he arrived as a high school student at the United Baptist Bible Training School (UBBTS). At the time, UBBTS – then only one year old and located on the Salisbury Road in Moncton – was primarily a boarding school for high school students. Even as a young man, Jack exhibited vision and leadership that would come to shape the future of Christian education in Atlantic Canada.
In the 1960s, as more schools were built throughout rural New Brunswick, UBBTS faced an identity crisis. Jack, who was then serving as chair of the Board, and the school’s then-new President, Dr. Stuart Murray, dreamed of transforming UBBTS into a Christian junior college – an institution where students could complete the first two years of their undergraduate education before transferring elsewhere to complete their degrees. The path forward was far from certain – in fact, a committee at the time recommended the school’s closure.
At the annual Baptist Assembly meetings in August 1968, the future of the school was passionately debated but not decided. A rare special Assembly was convened in Moncton later that fall, and in the months leading up to it, Jack joined Dr. Murray in tirelessly advocating for their vision. At that special Assembly, delegates voted nearly unanimously to affirm the Stultz/Murray vision. In 1970, the school was renamed Atlantic Baptist College.
As the decades followed, Jack remained a constant and essential figure in the school’s growth. During the tenure of then-President Ralph Richardson, Jack played a vital role in the College’s fundraising and campus relocation efforts. Their shared vision culminated in the opening of a brand new campus on the Gorge Road in 1996 – another pivotal moment in the university’s history. The institution was then known as Atlantic Baptist University, and it would later become Crandall University.
Through all these changes, Jack Stultz remained a steady presence. “A host of Presidents have served at Crandall during Jack’s time in leadership – Murray, Mikolaski, Webber, Richardson, MacArthur, Hopper, and now myself,” reflected current President, Dr. Bruce Fawcett. “Presidents have come and gone, but Jack was the steady presence with the long view. God has used Jack’s calm, steady, and peaceful demeanour and its accompanying wisdom to guide, direct, and support me over the years. I am, and will remain, forever grateful for Jack’s example and his investment in me personally.”
Jack served on Crandall’s Board of Governors for an extraordinary 36 years, offering unwavering support, thoughtful leadership, and deep spiritual insight. In 2009, he was appointed Chancellor of Crandall University, a role he held with characteristic humility and grace until 2014. In recognition of his enduring impact, he was named Chancellor Emeritus upon the conclusion of his term.
Stultz Hall bears the name of Jack and his beloved wife, Grace, in honour of their remarkable generosity and long-standing investment in the university’s mission. Their legacy is tangible – etched into the lives of students and faculty who walk the halls shaped by their vision.
Jack was more than a leader. He was a mentor, a friend, and a faithful servant. His quiet strength, deep faith, and selfless dedication have left an indelible mark on all who knew him and on the institution he helped to build.
We extend our deepest condolences to Grace and the entire Stultz family. May they be comforted by the prayers and love of the Crandall community, and by the enduring legacy Jack leaves behind – a legacy of vision, service, and faithfulness that will continue to inspire generations to come.
