By Bob Holmes
As Columbia International University Financial Aid Director Patty Hix surveyed the large crowd of luncheon guests, she called it “a magical moment.”
She was addressing the annual CIU Donor Appreciation Luncheon where CIU scholarship recipients share a meal with the donors who are making their education possible.
“Donors, you are transforming lives,” Hix said. “You really are making a way for students to go out and share the gospel of Christ to the nations. It’s your giving that helps them focus on what they’re here for.”
Each of the students took turns at a microphone to offer their personal thanks to the donors and discussed their future after they graduate. One noted that “CIU has had a great impact on my spiritual growth.” Another who is headed to the mission field said, “thanks to all of you for what you have done to make our dreams and our passions come true.” A third student quoted Eph. 3:19 and said, “wherever I go, anywhere I am, I want others to know the love of Christ.”
But it was the more intimate interaction over lunch between the students and their scholarship donors that was the most meaningful.
Abigail Bradley, a sophomore and Intercultural Studies major from Columbia, said meeting her scholarship sponsors was “amazing.”
Those sponsors are CIU alumnus Michael Krigline (1991) and his wife Vivian who set up the scholarship in honor of Mr. Krigline’s late sister CIU alumna Kathy Grudier (1991).
“It was wonderful to meet Abigail. I feel like my sister’s legacy lives on,” said Mr. Krigline. “My sister would have loved her, and we’re thrilled that this scholarship is available to help a student see where God leads them.”
Across the lunch table, the Kriglines shared their experiences as missionaries in China and discussed Grudier’s years as a missionary in Turkey.
“We could have talked for hours,” Bradley said, noting the conversation was an encouragement to her.
“God also has a plan for me and He’s also going to work through me in other people’s lives,” added Bradley, a third generation CIU student. “Sometimes it can be daunting that I’m going overseas and sharing the gospel, but you see (the Kriglines) are making it possible for me to be able to do that one day as I’m learning at CIU.”
In thanking the scholarship donors, CIU President Dr. Bill Jones compared CIU’s increasing enrollment and new academic programs to an airliner ready to travel near and far.
“We have the jet, you’re providing the fuel,” Jones began, “and we’re going to pack it with students … and we’re going to impact the nations with the message of Christ, beginning right here in the city of Columbia. We can’t do that without you, and we’re very, very grateful for your sacrifice.”
(Above: Abigail Bradley thanks scholarship donors. Photo by Jonathan McGaha.)
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