Columbia International University Alumnus The Rev. Howard Blair is nearly as old as the college he graduated from.
While CIU was founded in 1923, Blair was born just a few years later. Now at 100 years old, Blair was honored during Homecoming 2026 with CIU’s Kingdom Impact Award for his decades of ministry.
To receive the Kingdom Impact Honor, it is important that the life and ministry of the alumnus reflect a faithful example of the five core values of CIU and for using their unique God-given gifts for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.
Blair enrolled at CIU, then called Columbia Bible College (CBC), in 1946 following his service in the U.S. Army Air Forces in China near the end of World War II and later in occupied Japan. After the war, God led him back to Japan as a missionary. Blair and his wife-to-be, Phebe Morse graduated from CBC in 1950.
His Christian service includes teaching at Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) while Phebe served on the school’s PTA and board of directors and led Bible studies for the wives of military officers stationed at a nearby American base. They would later plant a growing church in Japan while Howard continued at CAJ. By 1995 his ministry would shift to teaching at Bible institutes and seminaries in Ukraine and Russia.
“I am honored and humbled,” Blair simply answered when asked how it felt to receive the award.
That drew a standing ovation from the student body.
When asked what is different about CIU today versus his day, Blair instantly replied, “the campus itself. I studied in the downtown (location) and it was very small. I am excited to see such tremendous growth!”
Class Reunions
Seven class reunions were held around campus during the Homecoming weekend. While the Class of ’76 was congratulated for having the most in attendance, the Class of ’56 celebrated their 70th reunion. They recalled daily chapels during their time, and a campus ministry to the soldiers at Columbia’s Fort Jackson military base.
CIU Rams
Homecoming 2026 also featured victories by the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The men defeated Paine College 77-68, while the women downed Virginia University of Lynchburg 80-63.
Meanwhile, the Athletics program posthumously inducted two Rams into the Athletics Hall of Fame — track and field standout John-Hunter James and Athletics Director Darren Richie.
James made history as CIU’s first NAIA national champion and first NAIA All-American in any sport. He won the 2020 NAIA indoor pole vault championship as a freshman, clearing 5.20 meters, before defending his title in 2021 with a height of 5.25 meters. His achievements helped establish both CIU Athletics and CIU track and field on the national stage. James died March 6, 2023, in an automobile accident. CIU continues to honor his legacy through its annual John-Hunter Classic track meet.
Richie guided athletics through a period of significant growth. Under his leadership, the Rams captured three National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championships, Appalachian Athletic Conference titles, and reached NAIA national championship tournaments in multiple sports. He also helped spearhead a $500,000 fundraising campaign to add stadium lights to CIU’s baseball and softball fields. Richie died Dec. 2, 2023, while in Florida supporting the CIU women’s soccer team at the NCCAA national tournament.
“That will be us.”
Former CIU administrator and author Dr. Ralph Enlow from the Class of ’72 and ’82, led a breakfast devotional on Saturday morning, while there was fun on The Quad in the afternoon. The alumni and their children were joined by current students for a wide variety of activities including Nine Square, Volleyball, Spikeball, Cornhole, and even a large bouncy house.
Freshman Noah Blau, who performed with the Ambassador Choir in the Friday chapel, said he enjoyed worshipping with the older generation.
“It is also cool to know that will be us in the future,” he added.
(Photo: The Rev. Howard Blair applauded by CIU President Dr. Bill Jones, and Alumni Director Peggy Lee Manoogian.)
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